Just about every Singaporean knows about the importance of health screenings. After all, catching a serious ailment too late could mean huge medical bills or, worse, death. But how much do you really know about health screenings and how much they cost in Singapore? Here’s the low down.
A Guide to Health Screening Packages in Singapore
Price list: Health screening packages in Singapore
Do polyclinics offer health screenings?
How much do health screenings cost at public hospitals?
How much do health screenings cost at private hospitals?
How much do health screenings cost at private clinics?
Which is the cheapest health screening in Singapore?
Can you pay for health screenings with Medisave?
Can you claim the fees from your health insurance?
What goes into a basic health screening package?
What are the types of health screenings available?
How often should you go for a health screening?
Best health insurance plans
1. Price list: Health screening packages in Singapore
The cost of health screenings in Singapore can vary quite wildly. And with prices rising in all aspects, here are the current health screening prices compiled, including a mix of public hospitals, private hospitals, and private clinics.
Healthcare provider
Health screening packages
Cost (as of 8 Sep 2022)
Cost (as of 25 Apr 2023)
Central Clinic
Basic Package to Comprehensive
$48 – $338
$48 – $338
Raffles Medical
Raffles Classic to Raffles Platinum
$74.90 – $10,000+
$129.60 – $11,195
Ng Teng Fong Hospital
Essential Package to Enhanced A
$88 – $185
$101 – $205
Singapore General Hospital
Basic to Enhanced Chronic Disease Assessment
$363.80 – $749
$367.20 – $756
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Prime to Exclusive
$695.50 – $1,444.50
$702 – $1,458
LifeScan Medical Centre
Women Wellness/Men Deluxe to Royal Elite
$288 – $8,453
$288 – $8,532
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Core Screening to Three High Packages
$200 – $530
$200 – $530
National University Hospital
Essential to Extensive
$260 – $530
$298 – $998
Sata CommHealth
Lite to Platinum
$316 – $1,598
$316 – $1,598
Thomson Medical
Lite to Platinum Prestige IV
$348 – $6,488
$408 – $6,988
Farrer Park Hospital
HealthTrack Regular to Premier
$468 – $1,780
$474.37 – $1,847.10
Healthway Medical
Classic to Royal Packages
$350 – $4,500
$388 – $4,888
Changi General Hospital
Core, Core 50 Packages
$360 – $380
$360 – $380
Parkway East Hospital
Screen Classic to Screen Prestige
$468 – $6,498
$511 – $6,620
Fullerton Health
Live Fuller Premium to Live Fuller Platinum
$500.76 – $1,806.16
$505.44 – $1,823.04
Screen For Life – National Health Screening Programme
Subsidised screening for cardiovascular disease, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer
$0 to $50 for eligible Singapore Citizens
As you can see from this snapshot, a health screening needn’t necessarily be expensive. But, cheaper health screenings tend to have much fewer lab tests and thus might not be as effective at catching diseases.
Ultimately, you should look at what’s in each package before deciding if the tests are relevant to your health concerns, and if the price is worth it.
2. Do polyclinics offer health screenings?
You’ll notice that polyclinics are conspicuously absent from the list of health screening packages above. That’s because polyclinics do NOT offer comprehensive health screenings—they only provide health screenings for specific diseases (e.g. diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol).
So, you can’t waltz into the nearest polyclinic with no symptoms and ask for a full body check-up. You can, however, request specific screenings for diseases you might be prone to due to lifestyle or genetics.
If you’re a Singaporean, you can also access affordable health screenings at GP clinics under the Health Promotion Board’s Screen for Life programme. Depending on what card you hold, you’ll pay no more than $5 for each screening:
Eligibility
Cost of health screening
Eligible Singapore Citizens / CHAS (Green)
$5
CHAS (Blue) / CHAS (Orange)
$2
Merdeka Generation
$2
Pioneer Generation
Free
Again, these are for specific diseases only, not a full-body check-up. Which subsidised health screenings you can go for depend on your age and sex.
Age group
Screen for Life health screenings
25 years & up (female)
Cervical cancer (Pap smear)
40 years & up
High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cervical cancer
50 years & up
All of the above + breast cancer, colorectal cancer
Screen for Life also offer screening for breast cancer at selected clinics, priced at $25 for Pioneer Generation, $37.50 for Merdeka Generation, $50 for Singapore Citizens and $75 for PRs.
3. How much do health screenings cost at public hospitals?
So, how much does it actually cost to get a comprehensive health screening that checks for everything, not just 1 or 2 diseases?
Most Singaporeans have a lot of faith in public healthcare, so for important procedures like a health screening, many would prefer to go to a public hospital.
However, health screenings are not subsidised because you can’t get a referral from a polyclinic or from A&E. So, they’re not necessarily cheaper than a private clinic. Furthermore, the prices of health screening packages (as well as the component tests in each health screening!) vary a lot from one public hospital to another.
Public hospital
Health screening package
Cost (as of 8 Sep 2022)
Cost (as of 25 Apr 2023)
Ng Teng Fong Hospital
Essential Package
$88
$101
Singapore General Hospital
Basic Chronic Disease Assessment
$363.80
$367.20
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Core Screening Package
$200
$200
National University Hospital
Health Essential
$260
$298
Changi General Hospital
Core Health Screening
$360
$360
Note: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and KK Hospital does not offer health screening packages anymore.
4. How much do health screenings cost at private hospitals?
Although private hospitals tend to be much pricier than public hospitals in Singapore, there’s a big range in prices when it comes to health screenings. Therefore, private hospital screenings aren’t necessarily more expensive—it depends on what tests you want to include.
As a general rule, private hospital tend to offer packages with more exhaustive lists of tests and screening procedures. That said, basic health screening packages do exist (and at fairly competitive prices too).
Private hospital
Health screening package
Cost (as of 8 Sep 2022)
Cost (as of 25 Apr 2023)
Raffles Medical
Raffles Basic
$74.90
$126.90
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Basic 250
$267.50
$250-$270
Farrer Park Hospital
HealthTrack Regular
$468
$472.37
Parkway East Hospital
Screen Classic
$468 / $598
$511 / $541
5. How much do health screenings cost at private clinics?
If you thought there was a lot of price variation among the hospitals, wait till you see what it’s like with the clinics. Due to the intense competition, it’s possible to find super cheap health screening packages (under $50!) at a clinic. At the same time, prices can also go up to $300.
Here’s a small sampling of clinics in Singapore to show you the variation in prices:
Healthcare provider
Health screening package
Cost (as of 8 Sep 2022)
Cost (as of 25 Apr 2023)
Central Clinic
Basic Package
$48
$48
LifeScan Medical Centre
Women Wellness/Men Deluxe
$288
$288
Sata CommHealth
Lite
$316
$316
Thomson Medical
Lite
$348
$408
Healthway Medical
Classic Package
$350
$388
Fullerton Health
Live Fuller Premium
$500.76
$505.44
6. Which is the cheapest health screening in Singapore?
Our brief survey of the health screening options in Singapore shows that there’s a massive range of prices and huge differences in what the packages entail.
As we’ve shown, private does not necessarily mean more expensive than public when it comes to health screening prices.
The cheapest health screening we found turned out to be the $48 Basic Package at Central Clinic.
But clinics are generally less recognised than big brand names like Raffles Medical and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. But that said, what matters more is that you’re comfortable with the healthcare provider and the doctor you choose. On the other hand, you might get more personalised service if it’s with, say, your family doctor.
Generally, the more tests a package has, the more expensive it is. Provided you’re still young and healthy, and not genetically predisposed to certain disorders, you may want to opt for one of the super basic health screenings without all the bells and whistles.
However, you’ll probably want to discuss the options with your regular doctor before you commit to a screening, just in case there’s something you didn’t think to look out for.
7. Can you pay for health screenings with Medisave?
Unfortunately, you can’t offset general health screenings with Medisave.
Medisave can only be used for a limited range of specific screenings, such as mammograms (only for women aged 50 and up).
If you already have a chronic disease like diabetes or hypertension, you might be able to make claims for screening as part of outpatient treatment.
8. Can you claim the fees from your health insurance?
Although Integrated Shield Plans are essential for coping with healthcare costs in Singapore, your regular health screenings are generally not covered.
However, certain health insurance plans do offer rewards for going for regular health screenings.
For example, if you’re an AIA policyholder enrolled in the AIA Vitality programme, you can earn points for going to eligible screenings. You can redeem your points for discounts on your insurance premiums.
Meanwhile, NTUC IncomeShield policyholders can get discounted health screenings at their partners. You can apply for this health insurance plan here.
The popular AXA Shield does not offer a specific health screening benefit, but it does offer policyholders a subsidised GP consultation fee which can help with your healthcare costs.
9. What goes into a basic health screening package?
Health screenings can either be specific or general. If you suspect or are at risk for a specific ailment (say a hereditary disease), most clinics and hospitals have a full list of screening procedures for various ailments which you can pick and choose from.
But if you’ve got nothing in particular in mind, you can go for a general health screening, often known as a comprehensive health screening. This comprises a physical check-up and several medical tests to screen for common conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Every basic health screening package should entail these 4 components, at minimum.
Medical health assessment: A chat with your doctor to assess your medical history and lifestyle and identify any potential risks you might have.
Physical examination: The doctor should take your height and weight, measure your BMI and check your vision.
Blood glucose test: A blood sample is taken after fasting, to test for diabetes.
Cholesterol (lipid) test: A test for high cholesterol and heart-related diseases, taken after fasting.
Individual hospitals may offer other medical tests in their basic health screening packages. So apart from checking the price, you also need to know what exactly is in the package. Common add-ons include…
Blood pressure test: The doctor takes your blood pressure to check for hypertension (high blood pressure).
Urine analysis: Your pee is examined as an indicator of your overall health and proper kidney function.
Full blood count: A blood sample is examined to determine if you have anaemia.
ECG (electrocardiogram): Using electrodes placed on your skin, this test records your heart activity and checks for heart conditions.
Some hospitals/clinics will also let you choose some add-ons to your package at a fee, which you should consider if there are particular conditions you are worried about or predisposed to.
10. What are the types of health screening available?
Not all tests are included as part of a general health screening package, so you might need to purchase additional screening tests separately according to your needs. If you have an existing health condition or a genetic predisposition to a certain disease, it might be wise to get screened more thoroughly in a certain area.
Here are some examples of the different types of health screening you might find at hospitals and clinics in Singapore.
Anaemia
Diabetes
Hepatitis B
Hypertension / high blood pressure
Metabolic screening
Thyroid screening
Mammogram
Pap smear
HPV test
Heart health screening
High cholesterol
Liver
Colorectal cancer
The above tests are some of the more common ones when it comes to standalone screening procedures. The more comprehensive general screening packages may already include some of the above.
Ultimately, the clinic or hospital has a lot of freedom with regard to how they package and market their tests. For instance, they may choose to offer a women’s package with a mammogram, pap smear and HPV test.
11. How often should you go for a health screening?
Going for health screenings is important as you’ll want to detect diseases as soon as possible — early detection generally makes treatment more effective.
The necessity of a comprehensive health screening really depends on your age, health and family history. When in doubt, ask your doctor what he would recommend.
When you’re young, you won’t need to undergo it every single year. In fact, certain types of screening like mammograms and x-rays can actually be harmful and should not be overdone.
However, after you reach a certain age — and this threshold varies from person to person — annual comprehensive health screenings are a good idea. Your doctor should be able to advise you on what to get screened for and at what age depending on your health and family history.
Don’t be put off by the prices of screening packages. Not going for a screening and falling sick as a result could end up costing you a lot more in the long run, so when you reach a certain age you definitely want to consider going for a comprehensive health screening more regularly.
12. Best health insurance plans
Prevention is better than cure, but we can’t control everything in life. Healthcare costs in Singapore are no joke, so a good hospitalisation insurance plan is really a must.
For Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents, the most cost-effective form of hospitalisation insurance comes in the form of the Integrated Shield Plan (IP) which works in tandem with national health insurance plan MediShield Life (which you already have).
You can compare IPs across the various insurers by using MoneySmart’s health insurance wizard, or learn more about the various IPs on offer in Singapore.
Here are our top picks:
Top health insurance plan that covers Class B2 wards: Great Eastern Supreme Health B Plus
If you’re just looking for a bare-bones IP that covers you for Class B2 wards at public hospitals, this plan offers good value for money due to relatively low premiums and a high annual coverage limit.
Top health insurance plan that covers Class A wards: Prudential PruShield Plus
If you’d like to be covered for Class A wards at public hospitals, this plan offers one year’s post-hospitalisation coverage at a decent price.
Top health insurance plan that covers private hospitals: Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred
For a relatively affordable premium, you get 180/365 days pre-/post-hospitalisation coverage.
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Original article: How Much Are Health Screening Packages in Singapore? Comparing Public and Private Hospitals and Clinics.
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