As a key pillar of the global economy, and consistently high rankings for a variety of lifestyle indicators, Singapore is a hugely attractive place to live. A huge number of global businesses either have their headquarters or other offices in Singapore, while the city state is also known for its fantastic shopping district, as well as restaurants and cultural experiences that can take you back to anywhere in the world.
While Singapore is an attractive destination to look for employment or other reasons to move there, healthcare can be expensive, which is why it’s worth considering international health insurance if you’re planning to base yourself in Singapore.
Healthcare in Singapore is delivered via both a public universal healthcare system and via private sector providers.
Singapore’s universal healthcare system is delivered on what is called a mixed financing basis. This means that while Singaporeans can access public healthcare, no healthcare is provided 100% free of charge. This system is in place as a means of trying to control the use of the public healthcare system, preventing overuse and avoiding stresses such as overcrowding and long waiting times for treatment that afflict many countries’ public healthcare systems.
The majority of healthcare costs are subsidised, with the system financed by a combination of cost-sharing as described above, government funding, compulsory savings, and national healthcare insurance contributions. It is estimated that around 80% of Singaporeans exclusively use the city state’s public healthcare facilities and that around 70% of medical costs are covered as a result of the funding source mentioned above.
Once you have lived and worked in Singapore for a period of at least six months and can apply for permanent resident status, you will be able to make contributions to the national healthcare insurance initiative and access public healthcare services.
Given that even after making contributions you are likely to be left needing to pay at least 30% of your medical costs, it is worth considering an international private health insurance package if you plan to live in Singapore.
Although it is common for employers to provide medical insurance packages, especially to those coming to work in Singapore from overseas, it is recommended that you check exactly what you are covered for and whether this cover also applies to your family.
With a Now Health International medical and health insurance plan, you can ensure your costs are covered for as little or as much healthcare access as you need while living in Singapore.
Our health and medical insurance plans start from as little as $26 per month for our WorldCare Essential Plan. This plan will cover you for any in-patient and day-patient care you require while living in Singapore, and in the long term could not only reduce any worries related to accessing healthcare but also save you money given that public sector healthcare is not 100% free.
In addition to our WorldCare Essential Plan, our other healthcare plans cover you for outpatient care, dental treatment, and maternity care if required.
Join thousands of Now Health International members who have taken out one of our international health insurance packages.
“I am so grateful to the Now Health Team for everything they did for me and my family. My rare condition was completely unexpected and it was distressing to discover this while I was pregnant. However from the initial diagnosis all the way through to my kidney transplant, the team were nothing but supportive and ensured I could access the best care when I needed it most. Having the reassurance that my mother’s transplant donor costs would be covered was also a real relief. Thank you Now Health!”