Nearly one in five APAC consumers see mental health coverage as essential in health insurance

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, latest data from YouGov Survey conducted across four key markets in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region reveals that nearly one in five respondents (18%) consider mental health coverage essential when selecting a health insurance plan. An additional 41% view it as important but not a deal breaker, while 32% would choose a plan with or without it. Only 9% do not regard mental health coverage as necessary.

Consumers in Indonesia are most likely to consider mental health coverage essential (28%), followed by Australians at 21%. In contrast, those in Singapore and Hong Kong exhibit a more neutral stance and may choose a plan regardless of mental health coverage.

A majority of APAC consumers (63%) indicated they are likely or very likely to pay higher premiums for insurance plans that offer comprehensive mental health coverage. This willingness is particularly pronounced in Indonesia, where 77% of respondents would consider paying more.

Despite the demand for mental health coverage, 52% of respondents across APAC cited high premiums as the topmost barrier to a comprehensive coverage of mental health services in health insurance plans, especially among Australian consumers (56%).

In Singapore and Indonesia, in addition to the high cost, lack of awareness about available coverage and stigma around mental health treatments are also considered significant barriers.

Among mental health services, coverage for both inpatient and outpatient treatments ranks as the most influential factor that would make one choose an insurance provider (37%), followed by comprehensive mental health screenings (35%) and inclusion of preventative mental health programs (31%).

Nearly two in five (37%) of consumers in APAC believe insurance companies should proactively promote mental health coverage alongside physical health. Australian consumers are particularly supportive of this view, with 50% in agreement. A higher number of respondents (43%) feel that promotion of mental health coverage should depend on the cost of the plan, with consumers in Hong Kong (56%) and Singapore (50%) expressing this sentiment more strongly than others.

Currently, over half (55%) of consumers in APAC have health insurance. While 14% do not have insurance but intend to obtain it, a notable 26% neither own insurance nor plan to purchase it in the next 12 months. Singaporeans are the most likely to currently have health insurance (77%), followed by Hong Kong residents (67%).

Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from
nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in 4 markets with a combined sample size of around 5000 for all markets. All surveys were conducted online between September 26 and 30, 2024. Data from each market uses online representative samples apart from Australia which uses a nationally representative sample. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.