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Inpatient vs. Outpatient
When you’re looking for hospitalization insurance in Singapore, there are a few things you should be aware of. Plans can vary in the types of coverage they offer, and you should be aware of the differences between inpatient and outpatient insurance. If you don’t, you might find yourself unexpectedly liable for the costs of seeking treatment at a hospital.
The Basics of Hospitalization Insurance
Insurance policies will cover you for care sought from a hospital, but some policies will differ on the type of care covered. There are generally two types of hospital care that insurance will cover: inpatient and outpatient care.
Inpatient insurance is generally considered to the most basic level of coverage that health insurance plans will include, with outpatient care being an optional benefit that can be added for an extra charge.
Inpatient insurance
Inpatient care is any treatment where treatment is needed in a hospital or other medical institution. You will usually be required to be admitted to the hospital overnight or longer.
These are usually the most costly forms of care as they may involve surgery or expensive medical tests, monitoring, as well as the use of a hospital bed and meals.
Inpatient insurance can include coverage for:
- Semi-private or private hospital room during surgery
- Intensive care rooms
- Medical fees including nurse and doctor
- Inpatient medicines that are given during hospitalization (inpatient medicine)
- Surgical, anesthetic, operating room fees
- Ambulance transport expenses
- Diagnostic tests e.g. X-Rays, CAT & PET scans, plus laboratory tests
- Surgical appliances and prosthetic device expenses
- Organ transplants
Outpatient insurance
Outpatient care covers treatment that does not require a day admission or an overnight stay at a medical facility.
As you’re generally not taking up as much of the hospital’s time as you would with inpatient care, the treatments and processes are generally cheaper.
Outpatient insurance can include coverage for:
- General practitioner costs
- Specialist costs
- Prescription medication
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic tests e.g. X-rays
- Scheduled health check-ups
Outpatient plans can also include coverage for alternative therapies, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Be aware that not all aspects of an alternative therapy will be covered, so always double check your policy.
Do I need outpatient insurance?
Based on the costs of inpatient versus outpatient insurance, it might seem as if having only inpatient coverage is adequete. This is because inpatient treatments can be very costly in Singapore, especially if you don’t have access to subsidized healthcare. For example, the cost of a knee replacement in a public hospital can be as high as SGD $29,859. However, outpatient insurance can also be a huge benefit in Singapore, especially when regular outpatient care is needed.
Outpatient consultations can be relatively affordable in Singapore with subsidised patients (citizens and permanent residents) paying up to SGD $59, while private patients (like foreigners, expats, and tourists) can expect to pay fees much higher. An initial consultation with a Senior Consultant can cost non-permanent residents SGD $146, with repeat consultations being charged at SGD $107. Non-residents can also expect to pay more than that.
So, should you go opt for outpatient insurance in Singapore? If you go a whole year and only need to make one unexpected outpatient visit to a clinic, then you may feel that outpatient insurance is unnecessary. On the other hand, if you find yourself diagnosed with a serious illness that requires regular hospital visits (such as for dialysis, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy), these costs can quickly stack up over time.
Obtaining both inpatient and outpatient care is generally more expensive than an inpatient only insurance policy, but we’d recommend a more comprehensive plan that covers both simply as a matter of ensuring your health long term. You might not need outpatient care right now, but the future can be a mystery and outpatient insurance can be difficult to secure if you apply for it after developing an ongoing illness.
Secure an inpatient and outpatient plan through Pacific Prime Singapore
Pacific Prime Singapore brings to you vetted insurance plans from top insurers in the region, including the widest range of best-value inpatient and outpatient plans. Our team of expert advisors take into account your needs and budget, in order to help you compare health insurance and select the most suitable plan. All of our services are also offered at no additional cost versus going directly to the insurer.
