Expat Health Insurance in Singapore for Foreigners

Are you looking for the best expat health insurance in Singapore? Make an informed decision with Expat Medicare!

What you get with Expat Medicare?

Example of insurance comparison

Below you have an example of the type of insurance comparison you will receive after filling out the form.

Insurance comparison

Insurer A

Insurer B

Insurer C

Yearly Fee

€ 5235

€ 3635

€ 3235

Yearly Insurance Limit​

$ / 1.000.000

$ / 500.000

$ / 750.000

INPATIENT

Worldwide coverage
Singapore, Vietnam
Singapore only

Private hospital room

$ / 100 per night

$ / 75 per night

$ / 300 per night

Cancer / Surgery

Full refund

Full refund

Full refund

...

...

...

...

OUTPATIENT

Worldwide coverage
Singapore, Vietnam
Singapore only

Yearly Insurance Limit​​

$ / 1.000.000

$ / 500.000

$ / 750.000

Prescribed medicine

Full refund

Full refund

Full refund

Dental treatment

...

...

...

...

Get in touch with our team

Fill out the form below and one of our representatives will get in touch with you as soon as possible to help you find the best expat health insurance plan in Singapore.

Quentin Silva Expat Medicare Health Insurance Expert

Quentin Silva

Health Insurance Expert

What our clients say:

5.0
Based on 8 reviews
powered by Google
Charles Perot
13:18 12 Apr 23
Service réactif et très bon contact avec M. Silva
Anne Peiris
10:53 16 Nov 22
Recommande fortement leurs services, m'a aidé avec toutes les options d'assurance et m'a fait comprendre les meilleures options pour moi.Le meilleur choix pour les expatriés !
Guillaume Derivet
15:42 15 Nov 22
Je recommande !
Vanunu
06:56 25 Apr 22
Candice Couleuvre
15:06 21 Apr 22
Super service !Je recommande
Alex Crement
03:03 21 Oct 21
Je suis parti m'expatrier a Hong Kong, et je ne connaissais rien a l'assurance, encore moins pour les expats. L'equipe de Expatmedicare m'a accompagne tout au long du processus pour que je puisse trouver la meilleure offre possible pour moi et ma famille ! Encore désole d'avoir mis autant de temps a vous renvoyer mes documents !!
Je suis parti m'expatrier à Singapour, ils m'ont bien accompagné et donné de bons conseils pour mon assurance. En plus, de super tips pour bien vivre mon expatriation. Je recommande

Our Network of Expat health Insurance Partners in Singapore

The basics of the Singaporean health system

Embarking on a journey to Singapore, whether for career, adventure,will soon transform you into an expatriate. As you leave the familiar embrace of your homeland for an extended sojourn, the unpredictable nature of life abroad necessitates robust protection against medical uncertainties. An expat health insurance is not just an option but a crucial safeguard.

The question is, where do you start? What are the non-negotiables, and which aspects can be left as luxury add-ons? The choice between basic and premium packages hinges on how much you’re willing to invest in securing peace of mind.
Expat health insurance Vietnam

Expat Health Insurance in Singapore: A Guide

Join us as we explore the intricacies of Expat Health Insurance in Singapore, designed specifically for foreigners navigating this vibrant city-state.

An island-country and a city-state, Singapore has the third highest population density in the world. Of the total population of 5.92 million, 1.77 million (30%) are the non-resident population. No surprise, Singapore is a thriving community for expats.

The flip side of the coin is that Singapore is not a cheap place to live in. High standards and luxury come with a price tag. The health system is no exception.

Singapore Healthcare And Insurance Data

Expat Health Insurance in Singapore: A Guide

Public Healthcare The “3M” System

Insurance plans are accessible only to Singaporean citizens and permanent residents. Advanced technology, skilled professionals, and a wide range of services.

MediShieldLife is an mandatory insurance plan for all citizens and permanent residents. It covers hospitalization.
MediSave covers out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles for healthcare costs.
MediFund covers all outstanding medical payments in the public sector.

Private Insurance Providers in Singapore

An expat private health insurance is absolutely necessary!
Probably the best health care system in Asia.
Shorter waiting times.
Personalized care.
More expensive.
Western standards.
Without an expat health insurance, you won’t be able to access hospitals, clinics, or emergency services. Unless you pay upfront.

How to choose the best expat health insurance in Singapore

Choosing the perfect expatriate health insurance plan in Singapore as a foreigner is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. You must first grasp the essential elements and navigate the tens of options to find the ideal solution that aligns with your unique needs.
Expat health insurance Singapore

The insurer

Packages and extras

Singapore has one of the best healthcare systems in the world

Singapore has one of the best health services in the world. The quality of care is irreproachable in both the public and private sectors, however the health costs will be up to the level of excellence. This is why health insurance will be essential in Singapore. An international health insurance plan adapted to expatriates will cover all your needs, not limited to hospitalization costs, and with guarantees and reimbursement levels adapted to the country. Do not hesitate to answer the questions below to receive offers of expats health insurance in Singapore.
5.0
Based on 8 reviews
powered by Google
Charles Perot
13:18 12 Apr 23
Service réactif et très bon contact avec M. Silva
Anne Peiris
10:53 16 Nov 22
Recommande fortement leurs services, m'a aidé avec toutes les options d'assurance et m'a fait comprendre les meilleures options pour moi.Le meilleur choix pour les expatriés !
Guillaume Derivet
15:42 15 Nov 22
Je recommande !
Vanunu
06:56 25 Apr 22
Candice Couleuvre
15:06 21 Apr 22
Super service !Je recommande
Alex Crement
03:03 21 Oct 21
Je suis parti m'expatrier a Hong Kong, et je ne connaissais rien a l'assurance, encore moins pour les expats. L'equipe de Expatmedicare m'a accompagne tout au long du processus pour que je puisse trouver la meilleure offre possible pour moi et ma famille ! Encore désole d'avoir mis autant de temps a vous renvoyer mes documents !!
Je suis parti m'expatrier à Singapour, ils m'ont bien accompagné et donné de bons conseils pour mon assurance. En plus, de super tips pour bien vivre mon expatriation. Je recommande

Contact us !

At Expat Medicare, we support our clients in their search for expat health insurance in Singapore. Do not hesitate to request a quote from our team of experts
Quentin Silva Expat Medicare Health Insurance Expert

Quentin Silva

Health Insurance Expert

Fundamentals of health insurance for expatriates in Singapore

The offerings within a health insurance plan can differ widely, yet they generally fall into these primary categories:

Long-term protection and prevention

This is the basic framework of your insurance.
When to start the insurance, and for how long (minimum 12 months).
Who is covered: only you / you and your partner / your entire family.

Chronic conditions

If you or a family member has a chronic condition, it's essential to ensure that your insurance plan covers it.

Elective treatments

Are you planning to have non-urgent medical treatments, such as cosmetic surgery, orthopedic procedures, cataract surgery, or getting braces?

Check in advance.

Medical evacuations

Less likely, as the health system in Singapore is among the best in Asia.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Don't hesitate to ask us for the specifics!

The policy may be active for a year, extendable beyond that, or even available with no expiration date. No worries regarding the local language, as English is one of Singapore’s official languages. The other official languages are Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

How to find the best expats health insurance in Singapore ?

The easiest way is to call on insurance professionals. They will be able to answer your questions while saving a lot of time and sometimes making great savings.

At Expatmedicare we put our expertise to the benefit of our customers, throughout the life of the contract, in order to guarantee the best guarantees adapted to our customers as well as the best service.

What are you waiting for to contact us?

Contact us !

At Expat Medicare, we support our clients in their search for expat health insurance in Singapore. Do not hesitate to request a quote from our team of experts
Quentin Silva Expat Medicare Health Insurance Expert

Quentin Silva

Health Insurance Expert

Application and approval

The time it takes to complete the application process can range from one to three months, influenced by the types of claims included in the insurance.

Medical costs in Singapore

A few instances of medical expenses include: these prices in white are for Singaporean for expat is:
  • Average cost of an room visit: 90 USD; 260 USD for Semi private room and 550 USD for private one
  • Average cost of a doctor’s visit: 40 USD; 60 USD for GP 120 for specialist
  • Prenatal care and normal birth can range from 2,900 to 7,500 USD; 3900 USD to 19500 USD
  • Hip replacement surgery: 14,500 USD;
  • Kidney stones treatment: 4,170 USD;
  • Cataract surgery: 1,150 USD;
  • Removal of appendix: 8,950 USD.
Expat health insurance Singapore

Local customs and regulations

To grasp the nuances of the local community and healthcare system, consider the following tips:

Mandatory Health Insurance: It’s advisable for foreign workers in Singapore to have health insurance. This can be through their employer or private health insurance plans.

Without an expat health insurance, you won’t be able to access hospitals, clinics, or emergency services. Unless you pay upfront.

Reimbursement and Direct Billing: Private hospitals and clinics may require payment upfront, followed by reimbursement from the insurance provider. However, some international hospitals may offer direct billing services.

Vaccinations: Singapore does not require visitors to have certain vaccinations.

Emergency Evacuation: Very important. Less likely, as the health system in Singapore is among the best in Asia.

Understand the steps for renewing your policy, as well as the claims process and the necessary paperwork for getting reimbursed. Being informed can help you avoid any complications.

Expat health insurance Singapore

How does the Singaporean social security work?

EXPATMEDICARE provides an Expats Health Insurance Comparator for Expats in Singapore. There you can request a quote for expat insurance for you and your family. Moreover, you can find more details regarding the public and the private medical systems. Here are some details:

Singapore established the “3M” system a few years back, forming the foundation of the nation’s health care system. The acronym 3M represents Medishield Life, MediSave, and Medifund, supplemented by private insurance, making it a complex arrangement for expatriates to comprehend. Moreover, this mandatory scheme is limited to Singaporean citizens and permanent residents (with a permanent visa, work permit, or S Pass).

Medishield Life is mandatory and inclusive of all existing medical conditions, though it imposes a 30% premium increase for the first 10 years in the case of ALD (long-term disease), with no age restrictions.

Its primary aim is to cover high-cost treatments, such as hospitalization and major illnesses (including cancer, dialysis, transplants, and psychiatric care). However, it does not include coverage for routine medical expenses (outpatient services), vision, dental, or maternity care.

To access this insurance, policyholders must contribute based on their income and age bracket, along with a deductible (ranging from 1,000 SGD to 3,000 SGD per person), co-insurance (from 3% to 10%), co-payments (fixed amounts), and any excess charges.

The annual coverage limit is set at 100,000 SGD per person, which is considered low for Singapore. This “participatory” system is designed to encourage responsibility among policyholders.

Additionally, subsidy rates vary: for example, in a C-class ward, high-income individuals receive up to 65% subsidy, while those with lower incomes can claim up to 80%.

MediSave is designed to complement MediShield Life coverage. Each member possesses an account funded through mandatory contributions automatically taken from their wages, ranging from 8% to 10%.

Administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF), this system helps pay for out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles for medical services not included under MediShield Life. It also extends to cover the insured’s family members. However, it is important to note that it does not cover regular medical expenses, but only those related to hospitalization or maternity.

This fund is designated solely for the most impoverished individuals and does not cover any health expenses incurred within the private sector.

Get Your Expat Health Insurance

Reach out to EXPAT MEDICARE by giving us a call or by completing the contact form. Together, we can find the health insurance plan that perfectly matches your requirements.
Quentin Silva Expat Medicare Health Insurance Expert

Quentin Silva

Health Insurance Expert

How is the Singaporean health system? ​

Ranked among the best health systems in the world, Singapore is a figure of excellence, both in terms of its health establishments and its specialists. It is also easy to find doctors who speak English on site, and sometimes even in your native language (French, Italian, German, etc.).

Healthcare is far from free in Singapore, even with the establishment of a universal coverage system, but this is only available to citizens and permanent residents. The country has long relied on reasonable and responsible consumption of health by including contributions and deductibles that can be high.
For permanent non-resident expatriates or with an employment pass, self-employed or spouses without activity, it will not be possible to count on local social security, despite very high prices. Be careful, however, if you are eligible for the local “MediShield” health system, only coverage of your hospitalization costs and certain health costs (such as dialysis, cancer, transplantation) is provided. Other costs such as dental, maternity, doctor or pharmacy costs will be your responsibility, so it is necessary to take out insurance to be reimbursed to a good extent. 

international health insurance
There are 9 private hospitals and 14 public hospitals in Singapore, which makes Singapore one of the best supplied areas per square meter and per inhabitant. The rate varies according to 3 variables: location, type of room and status (resident or non-resident). The quality of the public system is very good and the care is as good as in the private service, the only difference comes from the care provided there. The public service focuses mainly on emergencies and hospitalizations, which is why the delays are very long. Public hospitals are not necessarily up to Western standards, there are 8-bed dormitories (class C), the 4/5-bed room being classic. Private care is recognized to be among the best in Asia (with Hong Kong) and many wealthy Asians do not hesitate to come to Singapore to find care that they cannot find elsewhere. But you will pay a high price / expatriate, health insurance is essential.

There are many private clinics where the prices are very high but generally a consultation with a general practitioner will cost you on average 50 SGD in the public and 100 SGD in the private.
For an appointment with a specialist it will be on average between 80 SDG in the public and 150 SGD.

Things get more complicated, however, in the event of examinations, more complex treatments or hospitalization, especially for expatriates who do not have access to the state-subsidized price. The prices are then free and can be very high. High-end expatriate insurance is therefore essential. An expats health insurances in Singapore is highly recommended.

Here is an idea of the prices charged at Raffles Hospital, a top-of-the-range establishment: 1 day of hospitalization in a classic private room (A room) costs 668 SGD, a Suite will cost between 919 SDG and 5,888 SDG.

The private room (A) will cost 480 SGD per day (930 SGD in intensive care), while a 5-bed room (B) will cost from 83 SGD to 295 SGD (or 218 SGD to 930 SGD in intensive care).

 

728 SGD for a single room, 340 SGD for a semi-private room (with 2 beds), or 276 SGD for a 4-bed room. You will have access to a private suite from 1,238 SGD, depending on the state of your finances.

Between 600 SGD and 1,100SGD on average. An implant with a crown will cost between 3,100 SGD and 5,300 SGD.

Expat Health insurance in Singapore ​

There are also local private insurance companies that can manage both Medishield Life and MediSave, a kind of complementary, also called “Integrated Shield Plans”. They are generally take by your employers for you and your colleagues but can also be taken by you directly, including by a non-permanent resident expatriate. More than 75% of Singaporeans use these local insurances, but they have a big problem with the volatility of contributions with huge increases from one year to the next. They are at least very effective for locals who have access to state-subsidized prices, in fact the ceilings are too low for optimal use for an expatriate.

Expats health insurance in Singapore, called also 1st € or $ insurance, can therefore be easier to use for a foreigner, they can cover more important guarantees than local insurance such as everyday medicine, maternity, optics or dental, and often has much more competitive prices.There are also for the French and recently for Europeans and members of the EEA solutions in addition to the CFE
More information in this article.
The CFE will cover your expenses incurred in Singapore, but it will only be a first basis for reimbursement, which will reimburse according to the % of reimbursements provided for zone 4 (CFE).
In the context of hospitalization, it will only take 31% of the bill in charge, for your pharmacy bills it will be 45%. For a medical consultation, she will reimburse the lump sum of €17.50.
This is why a complementary CFE is essential to access optimal reimbursements. Complementary reimburse the pro rata between the reimbursement of the CFE and the total price of the care.
This solution is one of the best value for money available on the market, as well as one of the most stable solutions. The CFE can take care of you without a health questionnaire and without age limit.

Articles from the blog

qualities of a good insurance company expatmedicare
What are the qualities of a good insurance company
international health insurance terminology expatmedicare
10 key international health insurance terminology
international health insurance coverage expatmedicare
International health insurance coverage: standard and comprehensive plan