Expats frequently rank Singapore’s healthcare system and health insurance as among the best in the world. When it comes to sophisticated procedures like joint replacement, assisted reproductive technology, or organ transplants, Singapore is the top medical destination in Asia.
No wonder why many foreigners apply for permanent residents or submit a PR Appeal.
Here are some strong arguments for why Singapore’s healthcare system should be at the top of your list if you’re looking to travel for your health or become a permanent resident in the country to avail of the benefits.
Benefits of Singapore’s Medical Service
- Superior medical skill and professionalism. Being a doctor in a culture that values education and experience is honourable. Singaporean physicians are continually audited, and clinics are regularly inspected to find and prevent any unfitness.
- Modernized machinery. Singapore quickly adopts cutting-edge technologies and makes investments in medical informatics, which encourages medical staff to be receptive to novel ideas.
- Employed Singaporeans can accumulate funds in their personal accounts through the Central Provident Fund, a comprehensive insurance program, to meet their needs for medical care (Medisave), insurance (MediShield), and other purchases.
- Diverse cultural and linguistic settings. Because Singapore is a melting pot of Asian cultures, foreign patients who receive treatment there acclimatize more easily and encounter fewer language obstacles. You have a good probability of receiving medical care in your native tongue.
- Safety. In terms of blood transfusion safety, Singapore maintains very high standards. The WHO designated the Centre of Transfusion Medicine as a Collaborating Center in recognition of its excellent management of this service.
Healthcare Coverage
1. Government Health Insurance
Citizens and permanent residents of Singapore are entitled to discounted medical treatments offered by government-run hospitals. The amount of the subsidy might vary from 50% to 80% depending on a number of criteria.
Through a mandated savings program known as the Central Providence Fund, additional assistance in copaying the remaining portion of the medical cost is made possible (CPF). A portion of an employee’s monthly salary is deducted from their take-home pay and contributed to the CPF, depending on things like age and income.
Keep in mind that the CPF does not provide for national redistribution, so any money you contribute will only be utilized for yourself or your dependents; it will not be used to subsidize the benefits of a different employee who may have made less than you.
2. Private Health Insurance
Foreigners working in Singapore are not required to pay CPF payments, but they also are not eligible for the government’s subsidized health insurance programs. The good news is that even if you don’t have health insurance, daily healthcare services in Singapore are fairly reasonable.
To protect you and your loved ones from serious illnesses, it’s also a good idea to think about your health insurance alternatives.
Why is Singapore Healthcare so Expensive?
The cost of healthcare in Singapore might not seem as high to people from nations like the US. Increasing numbers of Americans are traveling to Singapore for medical treatment. A heart bypass there cost only 25,000 USD instead of the 140,000 USD it would cost in the US.
Additionally, the public and private healthcare systems include highly skilled medical professionals and cutting-edge tools, so ex-pats can receive high-quality care without breaking the bank. Your CPF contributions, government benefits, and auto-enrolment in insurance, if you’re a permanent resident, can significantly lower your hospital bill.
These charges may seem prohibitive to those from nations where healthcare is subsidized or to non-resident ex-pats in Singapore who are not eligible for bill reductions.
Do You Need Health Insurance in Singapore?
In Singapore, the majority of firms offer a fundamental private healthcare package as a benefit. Some will even pay for the costs of medical and dental checkups. Employees are more likely to have more coverage in larger companies.
Other than manual labourers and foreign domestic assistance, businesses are not required to offer medical insurance to anyone else. Employees should carefully review their contracts to determine whether healthcare is covered.
Should you wish to start your journey to become a PR to enjoy these health benefits, we, your Singapore PR Application Agency, are ready to help.
