JuniorLion is correct. The minimum entry age for an Integrated Shield plan is 15 days.
Among public hospital "as charged" B1 ward plans, Great Eastern appears to be best in class. The annual limit and pre-/post-hospitalization coverage periods are distinguishing features.
However, you could play this a little differently if you wish. Prudential's PRUshield Plus combined with their PRUextra Lite rider could be interesting. The additional base plan premium is $69 (fully Medisave payable) and the rider is $146. That gets your child up to a S$600,000 annual limit (20% higher than GE B Plus), 180/365 pre-/post-hospitalization coverage, and public hospital A ward coverage. That's a really nice upgrade for $8 more (and actually less out of pocket).
However, there are a couple differences. Here they are:
1. The "Lite" rider means you would have to pay half the normal deductible. If your child checks into public hospital B1 ward, the base plan's deductible is $2,500. Half that is $1,250. The rider provides a daily cash incentive of $125 for checking into a lower ward class than A. So for a 10 day hospital stay the deductible is fully covered (assuming a B1 ward stay).(*) Or, your child can stay in public hospital A ward, and then the deductible is $1,750 (half the normal $3,500).
2. Prudential does not have any downgrade option except for their B1 Standard Plan.
I don't think it makes a great deal of sense to try to get "dollar one" coverage since that requires cash (for your rider premium) to avoid mostly spending from Medisave. That seems like an odd thing to do since Medisave funds can only be spent on medical care (and on base Integrated Shield/MediShield Life premiums, not riders). The "Lite" or "Saver" style riders can make some financial sense.
(*) It's a little better than this, if I understand correctly. The $1,250 deductible is typically Medisave payable, paid with restricted funds. The insurance company hands you the daily cash as unrestricted cash.
