britishblondie

Hi all

I move out to Singapore in 2 months and am trying to start getting organised! Coming from the UK i am used to the NHS system!

How does healthcare work in SG? I payed for my health checks as a one off but with regards to doctors appointments A/E visits etc is it best/possible to pay as you go, or is insurance needed?

No healthcare included with my job

Thank in advance everyone!

ex reg

I'd say A&E has the same sort of waiting time as UK.

There's three levels of payment at Polyclinics
That for Sing Citizens
That for PRs
That for those on WPs etc.

You can make an appointment at Polyclinics but I always find the waiting time with an appointment little different from a walk in.
After you've seen a doctor you then have to queue/wait for the pharmacy and then queue/wait to make payment.

Of course you can go along to the private clinics, there are quite a few large ones associated with private hospitals but once you're in that system for something specific you tend to have to follow the costs associated with private treatment.

Somewhere on here I've noted my own 'horror stories' with the private system here.
I've had some good experiences the public sector.

It's horses for courses though and up to the individual and what you might think is your problem.

One or two posters have good experiences but they were insured.

Because I spend half my time in UK I decided against medical insurance since I retired and I'm still OK with that.

Even though I'm fine without insurance I'd recommend medical insurance to anyone working in Singapore.

Inselaffen

Avoid Polyclinics if you can.
also expect Doctors to over prescribe drugs. They also dispense the drugs and Ferraris are expensive to run

dean350

You must have health insurance. If you have an accident or a serious injury it will be very expensive. Try a local company like AXA. Its cheaper than BUPA but the coverage is still good. You can get out-patient cover on top which includes a set number of cut price visits to the doctor.

Get used to the fact that there is no health provision for foreigners here unless you pay!

aaynoor

Thank you your post helped me clearing my confusion.