Healthcare System in Singapore
A Simple Guide of the Healthcare System in Singapore for Expats
Healthcare system in Singapore has an international reputation for state-of-the-art medical institutions and facilities. More than 400,000 foreigners come to Singapore for medical treatment each year. According to the World Health Organisation, Singapore is constantly rank among the top 10 nations that provide the best Healthcare System in the world. If you are going to relocate to Singapore, you needn’t worry about your health. Healthcare in Singapore boasts excellent quality standards, both in the public and private sector.
Singapore offers readily accessible and relatively affordable Outpatient Medical Services by both the Public and Private medical service providers. In addition, there are 7 public hospitals, and 6 Speciality Centres that provide specialist care for cancer, cardiac, eye, skin, neuroscience and dental care services. There are also community hospitals for intermediate healthcare for the convalescent sick and aged who do not require the care of the general hospitals. Currently there are also 8 private hospital that offers premium medical services in Singapore.
Singapore offers readily accessible and relatively affordable Outpatient Medical Services by both the Public and Private medical service providers. In addition, there are 7 public hospitals, and 6 Speciality Centres that provide specialist care for cancer, cardiac, eye, skin, neuroscience and dental care services. There are also community hospitals for intermediate healthcare for the convalescent sick and aged who do not require the care of the general hospitals. Currently there are also 8 private hospital that offers premium medical services in Singapore.
Hospitals in Singapore
Hospitals in Singapore
- Public Hospitals in Singapore
The Government is the dominant health care provider and the main influence of the supply of hospital beds in Singapore. The government constantly introduce high-technology, state-of-the-art medical instruments, and also are able to influence the rate of cost increases in the public sector which sets the bench mark in terms of pricing for the private sector healthcare in Singapore.
There are 16 public hospitals in Singapore comprising of 6 general hospitals, a Women's & Children's Hospital and a Psychiatric Hospital. There rest are specialty medical centers that provide specialist care services for the following:
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Eye
- Skin
- Neuroscience &
- Dental Care
There are also Community Hospitals for the sick and aged who do not require care in the general hospitals.
Unless for medical emergencies, one may head straight to the hospital's A&E or Accident & Emergency unit, patients usually need referral letter to visit these hospitals. Patients who are non-Singaporeans can only stay in A or B1 wards (A ward - 1 or 2 bed. B ward - 4 beds). The charges to visit hospital's A&E unit is about S$110.00. The charges in these wards are not subsidized and charges for a A ward is from S$250 per day onwards. The charges is exclusive of treatment and other fees.
- The Private Hospitals
- Adam Road Hospital
- Camden Medical Centre
- East Shore Medical Centre
- Farrer Park Hospital
- Gleneagles Hospital
- Mount Alvernia Hospital
- Mount Elizabeth Hospital
- Raffles Hospital
- Thomson Medical Centre
- Westpoint Family Hospital
Most private hospitals offer premium medical services and executive or VIP suites. Most of these hospitals houses specialist clinics and support these specialists with their state-of-the-art medical facilities and services. There are no restrictions for private hospitals. The daily ward charges are from S$500 up for a single ward, S$250 for a 4 bedroom ward.
Outpatient Medical Services in Singapore
Outpatient medical services in Singapore can be sought at private clinics. In Singapore it is easy to find a General Practitioner (GP) in most neighborhoods. Anyone can walk into these clinics without prior appointment, although some clinics offer doctor on-call services to avoid traveling time to the clinic. The operating time for these clinics are usually from 9am to 9pm on weekdays. 9am to 1pm on weekends and public holidays. There are also 24-hour clinics. Charges at the clinic is from S$30 - S$60 with generic medication for a normal cough-cold illness.
The government polyclinics also offers outpatient medical services at a more affordable prices. However, waiting time tend to be longer in these clinics.
Outpatient medical services in Singapore can be sought at private clinics. In Singapore it is easy to find a General Practitioner (GP) in most neighborhoods. Anyone can walk into these clinics without prior appointment, although some clinics offer doctor on-call services to avoid traveling time to the clinic. The operating time for these clinics are usually from 9am to 9pm on weekdays. 9am to 1pm on weekends and public holidays. There are also 24-hour clinics. Charges at the clinic is from S$30 - S$60 with generic medication for a normal cough-cold illness.
The government polyclinics also offers outpatient medical services at a more affordable prices. However, waiting time tend to be longer in these clinics.
Public Healthcare Cost in Singapore
The healthcare cost in Singapore consists of several government schemes for citizens and permanent residents. The government scheme reimburse a substantial part of the medical bills. Nonetheless, most participants are still covered by supplementary healthcare insurance as there is a co-payment healthcare system in Singapore. The government reimburse participants through the following plans:
Medi-Save
Briefly, Medi-save was established in 1984. Every Singaporeans or PR employees put away 7-9.5% of the annual income into the Central Provident Fund or CPF in short. Singaporeans and PRs can use their Medi-save money to pay for specific medical costs incurred at approved facilities. Those costs include medical bills for day surgery, psychiatric treatment, specific chronic diseases like, asthma, depression, diabetes, or for therapies for patients suffering from cancer, HIV and selected health screenings. However, there are certain daily, monthly and yearly withdrawal limits on Medi-save. All amount exceeding the limits are to be paid in cash or by other means. Your immediate family members (parents, spouse, and children) can provide for the shortfall with their own media-save account, but limits apply to these contributions as well.
Medi-Shield/Medi-Shield Life
To assist those with serious or chronic illness, whose Medi-save account may not be enough to cover for their bills, the government introduced another healthcare plan called the Medi-shield life to help cover for "chronic, catastrophic illness" insurance. Every Singaporeans are to be insured via Medi-shield life program and the premium can be paid using the Medi-save account in CPF. This insurance covers provisions for hospitalization, surgery, and selected outpatient treatment. There is still a co-payment before any reimbursements from the Medi-shield life scheme. Therefore, private insurance companies in Singapore offer coverage for the co-payment.
Elder-Shield
This insurance scheme provide covers for elderly patients with severe long-term disabilities. The program assists participants with coverage of nursing care, and get monthly payouts of S$400 up to 6 years to cover some of the related costs.
Medi-Fund
This is a healthcare assistance program for the poor and elderly. Only Singaporeans who cannot afford their medical bills can apply for financial aid under this scheme. The reimbursement is decided on a case-to-case basis. It normally depends on participants health issues, medical bills, and their social and financial situation.
Medical Insurance
Medical Insurance policies that have been bought in your previous country of residence may still be valid in Singapore. A check with the insurance company will confirm if the policy is in service, to cover for critical illness or hospitalisation bills occurred in Singapore. Many employers in Singapore cover their employees’ medical expenses in part or in full.
Expats and family may consider buying private health insurance if you are not covered under the National HealthCare scheme or your company’s group health insurance. These insurance can include basic covering like only inpatient hospital stays, or comprehensive services including inpatient and outpatient care, lab tests, x-rays and other medical services. There are many reputable insurance agencies in Singapore which offer attractive premium rates and coverage. Do shop around to find a policy that suits your lifestyle and needs.
The healthcare cost in Singapore consists of several government schemes for citizens and permanent residents. The government scheme reimburse a substantial part of the medical bills. Nonetheless, most participants are still covered by supplementary healthcare insurance as there is a co-payment healthcare system in Singapore. The government reimburse participants through the following plans:
- Medi-save
- Medi-shield/Medi-shield life
- Elder-shield
- Medi-fund
Medi-Save
Briefly, Medi-save was established in 1984. Every Singaporeans or PR employees put away 7-9.5% of the annual income into the Central Provident Fund or CPF in short. Singaporeans and PRs can use their Medi-save money to pay for specific medical costs incurred at approved facilities. Those costs include medical bills for day surgery, psychiatric treatment, specific chronic diseases like, asthma, depression, diabetes, or for therapies for patients suffering from cancer, HIV and selected health screenings. However, there are certain daily, monthly and yearly withdrawal limits on Medi-save. All amount exceeding the limits are to be paid in cash or by other means. Your immediate family members (parents, spouse, and children) can provide for the shortfall with their own media-save account, but limits apply to these contributions as well.
Medi-Shield/Medi-Shield Life
To assist those with serious or chronic illness, whose Medi-save account may not be enough to cover for their bills, the government introduced another healthcare plan called the Medi-shield life to help cover for "chronic, catastrophic illness" insurance. Every Singaporeans are to be insured via Medi-shield life program and the premium can be paid using the Medi-save account in CPF. This insurance covers provisions for hospitalization, surgery, and selected outpatient treatment. There is still a co-payment before any reimbursements from the Medi-shield life scheme. Therefore, private insurance companies in Singapore offer coverage for the co-payment.
Elder-Shield
This insurance scheme provide covers for elderly patients with severe long-term disabilities. The program assists participants with coverage of nursing care, and get monthly payouts of S$400 up to 6 years to cover some of the related costs.
Medi-Fund
This is a healthcare assistance program for the poor and elderly. Only Singaporeans who cannot afford their medical bills can apply for financial aid under this scheme. The reimbursement is decided on a case-to-case basis. It normally depends on participants health issues, medical bills, and their social and financial situation.
Medical Insurance
Medical Insurance policies that have been bought in your previous country of residence may still be valid in Singapore. A check with the insurance company will confirm if the policy is in service, to cover for critical illness or hospitalisation bills occurred in Singapore. Many employers in Singapore cover their employees’ medical expenses in part or in full.
Expats and family may consider buying private health insurance if you are not covered under the National HealthCare scheme or your company’s group health insurance. These insurance can include basic covering like only inpatient hospital stays, or comprehensive services including inpatient and outpatient care, lab tests, x-rays and other medical services. There are many reputable insurance agencies in Singapore which offer attractive premium rates and coverage. Do shop around to find a policy that suits your lifestyle and needs.
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Immunisation for Children in Singapore
All children in Singapore need to be immunised against a list of diseases:
Health authorities ensure that all the required immunisation has to be carried out before the child is allowed to register for Primary 1 in Singapore schools. Children may receive their vaccinations at any General Practitioner’s clinic or government polyclinic. Each child born in Singapore is issued with a Health Booklet. The child’s Health Booklet is needed for record purposes. If your child does not have one, you may purchase one from the Health Promotion Board or any polyclinic. |
