How Does Singapore’s Healthcare System Work?

Singapore operates a dual healthcare system, with heavily subsidized public services for citizens and permanent residents and premium private services offering shorter wait times and better amenities. Both sectors are known for their high quality, but government subsidies apply only to locals. 

For this reason, many expats opt for comprehensive health insurance to access private care and cover the potentially high medical costs.

In this article, we take a closer look at the country’s healthcare system—public and private—its costs, well-known hospitals, and how private health insurance supports expats in managing medical expenses.

An Overview of Singapore’s Healthcare System 

Singapore’s healthcare system is a mix of public-private services overseen by the Ministry of Health. It combines the government-subsidized public healthcare with a strong private sector presence, and the choice between the two often depends on individual needs and budget.

Healthcare Quality and Outcomes

Singapore’s healthcare system is internationally recognized for its high quality and cost-efficiency. According to statistics, Singaporeans enjoy one of the world’s longest life expectancies, with an average of around 83–85 years. 

In 2023, the Legatum Prosperity Index ranked Singapore first in healthcare, a measure of accessibility to care and the overall health of its citizens. Likewise, Bloomberg has also named Singapore the world’s most efficient healthcare system.

Singapore’s Public Health Insurance System

Singapore provides universal health coverage for its citizens and permanent residents through a unique approach involving compulsory savings, national health insurance, government subsidies, and cost-sharing mechanisms, known as the Medisave, MediShield, and Medifund.

• Medisave: This is a mandatory savings plan that consumes between 8-10.5 % (depending on age group) of an employee’s monthly salary and is used to pay for routine medical expenses and those of their immediate family members.
• Medishield: This is a national health insurance scheme that all permanent residents and citizens can use to pay for large medical bills, as well as costly surgery and outpatient treatments after Medisave funds are depleted. 
• Medifund: This acts as a government safety net for eligible Singaporeans who need financial assistance to access medical care, even after tapping other funds. 

Essentially, MediShield and MediSave are at the heart of Singapore’s health insurance system. Citizens and permanent residents use their MediSave accounts to pay for everyday medical bills. When costs go beyond the deductible, MediShield steps in to cover bigger, more serious expenses.

Singapore’s Private Healthcare System

Private healthcare facilities in Singapore operate as independent companies and provide a wide range of services, including emergency care, specialist consultations, surgeries, and outpatient treatments.

Compared to public hospitals, private hospitals generally offer shorter waiting times, greater privacy, and enhanced amenities—making them a popular choice among higher-income locals and expats.

While Singaporean citizens and permanent residents can partially offset private healthcare costs using government savings schemes such as MediSave and subsidies, expats must cover the full cost themselves unless they are protected by private or international health insurance.

The Cost of Healthcare in Singapore 

Healthcare costs in Singapore vary significantly between the public and private sectors, with public hospitals offering significant government subsidies for citizens and permanent residents (PRs), while private hospitals are considerably pricier. 

However, to ensure that the price remains reasonable, the Ministry of Health regularly publishes treatment fee benchmarks for both public and private facilities, giving patients a clear estimate of expected costs for care. 

Here are some of the estimated costs of common medical services in Singapore:

Costs of Doctor Consultations in Singapore

The cost of doctor consultations in Singapore varies widely depending on the types of facilities you visit. Private hospitals are generally more expensive than public hospitals but offer shorter wait times and more convenience. 

Costs of Diagnostic Tests in Singapore

Similarly, diagnostic test costs in Singapore are highly variable depending on your chosen type of facility and the complexity of the tests. 

Surgical Procedures Costs in Singapore

When it comes to surgery in Singapore, costs can vary significantly based on the setting and type of procedure. Routine operations cost a few thousand dollars, while complex surgeries such as knee replacements often exceed SGD 35,000.

What’s more, these benchmarks provide private health insurers with a reference point for determining what fees are considered Reasonable and Customary (R&C). If a healthcare facility charges significantly above the R&C level, patients may be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.

The benchmarks also give private health insurance companies a reference point when deciding what fees are considered Reasonable and Customary (R&C). Hence, if a healthcare facility charges well above the R&C fees, you may have to pay for the difference out of your own pocket.

Hospitals in Singapore 

Hospitals in Singapore—both public and private—offer a high-quality patient experience. This is because public hospitals in Singapore are more autonomous than government-run institutions in other countries, which in turn creates competition in the public market. 

This also influences private hospitals and clinics to deliver exceptional healthcare, as they need to compete with already high-quality and cheaper public hospitals. The following section dives into details about public and private hospitals in Singapore. 

Public Hospitals in Singapore 

Public hospitals in Singapore are run similarly to private centers in other countries, thanks to reforms in the 1980s that gave public hospital management a greater degree of independence from governmental control.

As of 2025, Singapore has eleven public hospitals: seven general hospitals, one women’s and children’s hospital, two community hospitals, and one psychiatric hospital. Together, they provide services, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency treatment, specialist visits, and surgical procedures. 

Unlike public hospitals in other countries, public patients in Singapore typically have access to comfortable environments, appointments with regular doctors, relatively shorter wait times, and options to choose from nine-, six-, five-, and four-bed wards or opt for a private room.

List of public hospitals in Singapore

1. Alexandra Hospital
2. Changi General Hospital
3. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
4. Yishun Community Hospital
5. KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
6. National University Hospital
7. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
8. Jurong Community Hospital
9. Singapore General Hospital
10. Tan Tock Seng Hospital
11. Institute of Mental Health

Private Hospitals in Singapore

Singapore is home to 9 private hospitals and numerous private clinics, most of which are operated by three major hospital groups: Parkway Holdings, Pacific Healthcare Holdings, and Raffles Medical Group.

Private hospitals are generally smaller than their public counterparts, offering more private rooms and a higher level of comfort. Care is often described as not only adequate but also luxurious—for those willing to pay a premium.

For example, at Gleneagles Singapore, single room rates start at SGD 850 (USD $660), and their most luxurious, 5-star-like suite can cost SGD 8,565 (USD $6,645) per day. 

List of private hospitals in Singapore

1. Crawfurd Hospital
2. Farrer Park Hospital
3. Gleneagles Hospital
4. Mount Alvernia Hospital
5. Mount Elizabeth Hospital
6. Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
7. Parkway East Hospital
8. Raffles Hospital
9. Thomson Medical Centre

Many expats opt for private hospitals because, for non-permanent residents, the costs are often comparable to public hospitals. Private facilities also offer shorter wait times for popular procedures and more personalized customer service.

Private Health Insurance in Singapore

Majority of expats are taking out private health insurance to offset medical costs in case they ever require more serious and expensive care.

Below you can find typical types of insurance coverage from an individual health insurance policy in Singapore:

• Inpatient coverage: Generally, inpatient coverage is included as the basic benefit for almost all insurance plans and typically covers room and board, doctor and nurse service, surgical expenses, diagnostic tests, ICU, and more.  
• Outpatient coverage: This benefit provides coverage for medical treatment or doctor visits that do not require an overnight stay or hospitalization.
• Maternity coverage: This type of insurance is available as an add-on benefit and is suitable for those planning to start a family, as an average 10-24 month waiting period will apply. The benefit covers prenatal and delivery costs, and in some cases, postnatal emergency care. 
• Pre-existing conditions coverage: A pre-existing condition is generally defined as a health issue that is present prior to enrolling in a new health plan. Typically, insurers do not cover those conditions, but some companies do with a potentially additional premium. 
• Family insurance plan: Treated as a small group health plan, family insurance can cover all of your loved ones while ensuring lower premiums. 
• Dental insurance and vision coverage: These are common add-ons for those looking to cover their dental and optical expenses.

International Health Insurance in Singapore

Many expats in Singapore opt for international health insurance to cover high medical expenses while living in the country and beyond. These plans are designed for globally mobile individuals and typically offer: 

• Access to private care: Expats often rely on private hospitals in Singapore, where costs are higher but waiting times are shorter. International health insurance helps cover these expenses, ensuring peace of mind.
• Worldwide coverage: Unlike local policies, international plans cover you not only in Singapore but also when traveling or relocating elsewhere—a vital feature for expats with global lifestyles.
• Customizable Benefits: Many plans let you add maternity care, dental, or outpatient benefits, tailoring coverage to your needs.
• Portability: If you move to another country, your international health plan moves with you, eliminating the hassle of reapplying for local coverage.

Secure Your Coverage in Singapore with Pacific Prime 

Despite its importance, navigating healthcare as an expat can often feel confusing and overwhelming when you want to focus on enjoying your new life in Singapore. 

That’s where Pacific Prime comes in. With 25+ years of experience as a trusted insurance broker, we combine our local insights with global insurance expertise to help you find the right insurance plan for your needs and budget. 

Our team simplifies the process, explores available plans, provides impartial advice, and answers any questions you may have about Singapore’s healthcare system. 

Contact us today for a free quote comparison and our expert, unbiased advice. 

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime Singapore

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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