Healthcare in Singapore

Written by Lais Cattassini Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Lais Cattassini

Lais is a Brazilian journalist and copywriter with over 17 years of experience, writing about things she knows really well (travelling, cinema, social media trends) and things she loves learning about.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: October 11, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Interesting facts:

• Singapore emphasises personal responsibility for healthcare costs. While there is universal healthcare, citizens pay for part of their care.
• Singapore spends only about 4% of its GDP on healthcare, a significantly lower percentage compared to other developed countries.
• The current infant mortality rate for Singapore in 2024 is 1.389 deaths per 1000 live births.

Overview of the Singaporean healthcare system

Three core principles guide the healthcare system in Singapore. The first one is individual responsibility. Singaporeans are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and healthcare costs through personal savings and insurance.

Affordable universal coverage is the second principle. Every citizen has access to basic healthcare services, with subsidies available for lower-income individuals. The third principle is sustainable healthcare financing. The system emphasises cost control and efficiency, both for individuals and the state, aiming to avoid over-reliance on government spending.

The majority of healthcare services are delivered by public hospitals and polyclinics. These facilities are heavily subsidised by the government, offering affordable care to Singaporeans. Public hospitals are divided into several tiers: Class A (private rooms, fully paid by the patient), Class B1, B2, and C (shared rooms with increasing levels of government subsidies). This tiered subsidy system encourages patients to make financially conscious choices about the level of comfort and service they desire.

Polyclinics are government-run clinics that provide primary care services such as general practitioner (GP) consultations, dental services, and outpatient treatment at highly subsidised rates.

MediSave is a compulsory medical savings account where employees and employers contribute a percentage of the worker's salary (around 8-10%) to pay for healthcare expenses. These savings can be used for hospital bills, outpatient treatments, and certain chronic conditions.

MediShield Life is a universal, basic health insurance plan that covers large medical bills, especially for hospitalisations and expensive outpatient treatments. Premiums are automatically deducted from MediSave, and the insurance covers a portion of the bill, leaving the patient responsible for co-payments and deductibles. MediShield Life is mandatory and provides coverage for pre-existing conditions.

MediFund is a safety net for individuals who cannot afford healthcare costs even after utilising MediSave and MediShield Life. It is an endowment fund set up by the government, and patients must apply for this assistance at public healthcare institutions.

How to access the healthcare system in Singapore as an expat

While expats are not eligible for government healthcare subsidies in Singapore, they can still access both public and private healthcare services.

Many companies in Singapore offer health insurance as part of their employee benefits package. This typically covers outpatient treatments, hospital stays, and sometimes specialist consultations. Expats can also purchase private insurance on their own if their employer does not provide sufficient coverage.

Accessing Public Healthcare

Expats can receive treatment at public hospitals and polyclinics, but they will have to pay out-of-pocket.

In public hospitals, expats will be placed in Class A wards, which are private rooms without government subsidies, meaning they will bear the full cost of treatment. In polyclinics, they will pay the full price without subsidies.

To access public healthcare services, you will need to register with the relevant institution, such as a hospital or polyclinic. Bring identification (your passport or employment pass) and proof of residence in Singapore. Be prepared to pay full fees upfront or use health insurance, depending on your coverage.

Accessing Private Healthcare

Private Hospitals in Singapore are known for their high-quality services and luxurious amenities. Some popular institutions among expats include Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital, and Raffles Hospital.

Private general practitioners (GPs) and specialists operate throughout Singapore, and expats can book appointments directly with them, often with minimal wait times. Most private clinics accept international health insurance.

Types of health insurance in Singapore

MediShield Life (Government-Sponsored)

MediShield Life is Singapore's universal health insurance scheme aimed at covering large medical bills and prolonged hospital stays. It is mandatory for all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, but expats are not eligible for MediShield Life.

It covers major hospitalisation and certain outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy. It is designed to help with large medical bills, typically for care provided at public hospitals.

Premiums are paid through the individual's MediSave account, which is part of the Central Provident Fund (CPF). Premiums vary based on age and income level, and government subsidies are available for lower-income families.

While MediShield Life covers a portion of large bills, patients must still pay deductibles and co-insurance, meaning they are responsible for part of the bill.

Integrated Shield Plans (IP)

Integrated Shield Plans are designed to complement MediShield Life by offering enhanced coverage for those who want access to private hospitals or Class A/B1 wards in public hospitals. These are voluntary plans offered by private insurers and are popular among middle- to high-income residents who prefer better hospital facilities or faster access to specialists. However, expats are not eligible.

These plans cover both private and public hospital stays, depending on the plan chosen. The coverage includes a higher percentage of hospital bills and outpatient treatments compared to MediShield Life alone.

Premiums are paid either through MediSave (up to a certain limit) or out-of-pocket. They tend to increase with age, and the cost also varies depending on the plan and provider.

Some of the private insurers offering Integrated Shield Plans include AIA, NTUC Income, Prudential, Great Eastern, and Aviva.

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance provides broader coverage than government-sponsored schemes, including outpatient care, dental, vision, and specialist consultations. Some plans offer coverage both in Singapore and abroad.

Premiums for private insurance vary depending on the level of coverage, age, health condition, and the insurer. Premiums are usually paid out-of-pocket, though some employers may provide private health insurance as part of the employee benefits package.

Some private health insurance providers in Singapore include AIA, Prudential, Allianz, AXA, and Bupa.

Corporate Health Insurance

Many companies in Singapore offer group health insurance as part of their employee benefits package. Corporate health insurance plans often cover hospitalisation, outpatient treatments, and sometimes dental and vision care.

The employer usually pays premiums for corporate insurance, though some plans may require employees to contribute a small amount. These plans may not be as comprehensive as private insurance plans but generally provide good baseline coverage for medical expenses.

How much does health insurance in Singapore cost?

MediSave

MediSave is a key component of Singapore's healthcare financing system, helping residents save for their personal and family medical expenses. It is part of the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a mandatory savings scheme that Singaporean citizens and permanent residents contribute to, covering retirement, healthcare, and housing needs. MediSave specifically focuses on ensuring that individuals have enough savings for medical expenses.

Each working Singaporean and permanent resident permanent resident contributes a portion of their monthly income to their MediSave account. Contributions are based on income level, with rates ranging from 8% to 10% of monthly wages, depending on age. MediSave balances earn interest, which helps the funds grow over time. Interest rates are typically around 4% per year, ensuring that funds can accumulate steadily for future use.

The funds in a MediSave account are owned by the individual, who can use them to pay for approved medical expenses for themselves and their immediate family members (spouse, children, parents,

grandparents). Funds can be used to cover a variety of healthcare expenses, but they are subject to withdrawal limits and only apply to certain approved treatments and services to prevent overuse

MediSave can be used to pay for MediShield Life. For those with Integrated Shield Plans, MediSave can also be used to pay a portion of the premiums. There is an annual withdrawal limit of S$700 for these premiums.

There is an annual contribution limit to MediSave accounts, which is the total amount of money that can be contributed in a given year. For 2024, the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is S$71,500, meaning any amount above this limit will be transferred to the individual's Special Account or Retirement Account.

MediShield Life

Premiums for MediShield range from around S$140 to S$2,093 per year. Government subsidies are available for lower-income residents or those with special needs.

Premiums increase with age, but coverage is available for life.

Integrated Shield Plans (IP)

Premiums vary based on age, insurer, and coverage level. Generally, for someone in their 30s, premiums can range from S$200 to S$500 per year. For seniors in their 60s and beyond, premiums can range from S$1,500 to S$3,000 or more per year.

Premiums are also typically paid through MediSave up to a certain limit, and anything beyond that must be paid out-of-pocket.

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance plans can range from around S$1,000 to S$5,000 (€700-€3,500) per year or more, depending on age, medical history, coverage level, and insurer.

For basic plans, expect to pay S$1,000 to S$2,500 (€700-€1,750) per year.

Expat health insurance in Singapore

Expats are not eligible for the healthcare subsidies provided to Singaporean citizens and permanent residents. This means they would need to pay full rates for medical services at public and private hospitals. Without access to MediShield Life or other government subsidies, medical costs can be quite high, particularly at private healthcare facilities.

Many employers in Singapore provide group health insurance as part of an expatriate employee benefits package, covering basic inpatient and outpatient care. This is not mandatory for employers but is common practice. However, employer-provided insurance may not cover more comprehensive services like private hospital stays, specialist consultations, or maternity care.

Expats generally opt for private health insurance or international health insurance to ensure adequate coverage for hospital stays, outpatient treatments, surgeries, and access to private healthcare. Many expatriates choose international health insurance because it provides coverage not only in Singapore but also globally.

English-speaking doctors in Singapore

Most hospitals and clinics in Singapore have websites that provide profiles of their doctors, including languages spoken, areas of specialisation, and qualifications. You can filter for English-speaking doctors or simply look through the profiles. Some popular hospitals you can look at are Singapore General Hospital (SGH), National University Hospital (NUH), Raffles Medical Group, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and Gleneagles Hospital.

Some clinics specifically cater to the expatriate community and guarantee that all staff are proficient in English. Search for International Medical Clinic (IMC) and Osler Health International.

What to do in an emergency?

For medical emergencies or fire, dial 995, Singapore's emergency hotline. This service is operated by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and the ambulance will take you to the nearest public hospital for immediate medical care.

If the medical situation is not life-threatening but you still need an ambulance, you can dial 1777 for a non-emergency private ambulance. This service is typically for patients who need transport to a hospital but are stable (e.g., a broken bone or minor illness).