The Cost of Comprehensive Health Screenings in Singapore in 2023

Prices for checkups at Singapore’s public and private hospitals range widely. Checkups typically consist of a medical health assessment, physical examination, blood glucose test, and cholesterol test.

We all know that prevention is better than cure, but how often we walk the talk and go for a health screening regularly is a completely different story. Whether it’s owing to the cost, the fear of blood and needles, or the inability to face undesirable outcomes, the fact is that not a lot of Singaporeans undertake health checkups regularly.

In fact, many people may be unaware of what is covered by a medical checkup, how much it costs, or if they need one at all. Fortunately, this Pacific Prime CXA article will answer those questions and more.

Contents

What Exactly Is a Health Screening?

Health or medical screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. There are primarily two types of health screenings, namely specific and general.

Specific testing

Just as the name suggests, this type of test is the way to go if you have reason to believe that you are suffering from a particular disease. Most clinics and hospitals in Singapore maintain a full list of screening procedures for various ailments that you can pick and choose from.

Listed below are tests for specific conditions:

Urine microscopy: To test for urinary tract infection
Exercise electrocardiogram: To test for congenital heart diseases
Korotkoff sounds: To test for hypertension
Electroencephalogram or cardiac enzymes: To test for myocardial infarction
Mammography: To test for breast cancer
Fecal immunochemical tests: To test for bowel cancer
Tuberculin skin tests: To test for Tuberculosis
Tissue culture from single cervical swabs: To test for Chlamydia
Pap smear test: To test for cervical cancer
IgG- and IgA-antigliadin and IgA-endomysial antibody tests: To test for celiac diseases

General testing

A general test is a form of health screening you should undertake if you are just looking for a general look-over. It comprises a physical check-up and several medical tests to screen for common conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

If you are not looking for anything specific, a basic check-up should include four basic components:

Medical health assessment: A chat with your doctor to assess your medical history and lifestyle to identify any potential risks you might have
Physical examination: The measurement of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and 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

Depending on your needs, you may also ask for add-ons, such as blood pressure tests, urine analysis, a full blood count, and an electrocardiogram (ECG).

How Much Does a Comprehensive Health Screening Cost in Singapore?

It’s important to note that your Medisave (a national medical savings scheme) can only be used for a limited range of specific screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. General health screenings are, therefore, not covered.

Moreover, polyclinics don’t offer comprehensive health screening services since they only perform screenings for specific diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

So, if you are looking for a general health screening, you can only opt for a private or public hospital, or a private clinic. Make sure you take your time comparing your options; private hospitals provide a more thorough range of screening procedures, but their services come at a higher price.

Below is an updated summary of the costs of the most basic packages available at major public and private hospitals, as well as private clinics in Singapore. Please keep in mind that the precise details of each package vary, so it’s best to see what each package includes for a fair price comparison.

Price List of Public Hospitals

Price List of Private Hospitals

Price List of Private Clinics

How Often Should You Get Checked?

The answer depends entirely on your age, health status, and family history, but the general rule is that you may not need to go for a comprehensive health screening every year if you are a healthy individual.

But, after you have reached a certain age, which varies between individuals, you may consider having annual check-ups. It’s always advisable to consult your doctor on what and when you should get health screenings.

Generally speaking, health screening helps to facilitate the following:

Disease identification: Diseases can be caused by a wide range of agents, ranging from fungi and oomycetes to bacteria and viruses. Identifying what diseases, you have will be conducive to prevention.
Implementation of preventative measures: Preventative measures focus on early diagnosis to reduce the likelihood of severe illness and increase the chances of recovery.
Disease detection: Tracking the progression of a disease helps increase the effectiveness of a treatment and control disease progression and symptoms.

Health Screening Options for Expats in Singapore

Singaporean nationals can use Medisave to cover some health screenings, but expatriates living in the city may have to pay out of pocket, where costs can add up, especially in private hospitals. Given this, expats in Singapore, particularly frequent travelers, are urged to secure health insurance.