Choice of Ward Accommodation

1. Can I choose my class of ward?
Patients can choose their class of ward accommodation except for patients admitted due to industrial accidents, for cosmetic surgery and private patients of visiting consultants. The latter three categories of patients can only choose between class A and B1 wards.

Patients are advised to choose an appropriate class which they can afford to pay.

2. How to change my class of ward accommodation?
Please inform the Nurse-in-charge of the ward that you wish to change your class of ward accommodation. He/she will then assist you in making the necessary arrangements. Please note that retrospective charging will apply to all services, except ward charges, from the day of admission upon upgrading to a higher class of ward.

Hospital Charges

1. What is the likely cost of my hospital stay ?
Financial counselling on the estimated hospital bill size will be given upon admission. Your actual bill may differ from the estimate depending on your medical condition, treatment and actual length of stay.

2. Is a deposit required?
A deposit may be required depending on the estimated hospital bill, Medisave availability etc. The Admitting staff will be able to advise you on this.

3. Do I need to pay a deposit when I am using my Medisave to settle my hospital bill?
For Class A and B1 patients, a deposit is usually collected even if Medisave is used to settle part of the hospital bill. The deposit covers the difference between the total charges and the maximum Medisave claim amount.

4. How much do I pay for follow-up at SOC after discharge?
Patients discharged from Class A/B1 wards will be charged at private rates and Class B2/C patients at subsidised rates. Click here to see Charges.

About Medisave, Medishield and Medifund

IF YOU ARE USING MEDISAVE

1. Who can I use my Medisave for?
Medisave may be used for your spouse, your children, your parents and grandparents (grandparents must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents).

2. Can I use my Medisave for non-immediate family members?
Use of Medisave for non-immediate family members such as siblings, in laws, uncles/aunts and nephews/nieces may be allowed on a case by case basis, provided the patient:

is a Singapore citizen or a Permanent resident
does not have a Medisave account
has immediate family members who do not have Medisave accounts and cannot afford to pay the hospital bill
is staying in a B2 or C class ward
is a dependant of the Medisave account holder

3. What does Medisave cover?
Medisave covers hospitalisation expenses such as ward charges, X-ray investigations, laboratory tests, ward procedures, surgical operations, implants, medication, therapy charges. However, it does not cover

Companion stay charges, utility charges, telephone calls, charges for faxes
Orthopaedic appliances and prosthesis
Outpatient consultation fees, tests and investigations
Medical report fees
Hospitalisation charges if hospitalisation is less than 8 hours, with the exception of day surgery cases

4. What are the Medisave withdrawal limits?
$400 per day for Inpatient and $200 per day for Day Surgery. In addition, there is a separate claim limit for surgical procedures ranging from $150 to $5,000 depending on the type of operation. The use of Medisave for psychiatric treatment is subject to a withdrawal limit of $150 per day and a maximum of $3500 per year.

5. How does the hospital deduct the funds from my Medisave Account?
Upon discharge, the hospital submits a claim of your hospital bill direct to the CPF Board for deductions from your Medisave Account. Upon finalisation of the claim, a copy of the hospital bill will be mailed to you. The bill will show the amount deducted from your Medisave account and the outstanding amount to be settled by you, if any.

For further clarifications, you can contact the CPF Board at telephone number 1-800-227-1188 or visit the CPF Board website or the MOH website for more information.

MediShield claim limits, which determine the payouts to policyholders, will be raised substantially and patients will only need to pay a smaller portion of large hospital bills (from 60% currently to around 30%).

Find out more...

ASSISTANCE FOR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP - MEDIFUND

1. What is Medifund?
Medifund is a financial assistance scheme to help needy Singaporean patients pay for their medical expenses. It is only available to patients seeking admission to Class B2/C wards of government and restructured hospitals and who cannot afford to pay the charges.

2. Who qualifies to apply?
Only Singapore citizens, admitted to B2 or C class wards and facing financial hardship are eligible to apply for Medifund.

3. How to apply for Medifund?
You will need to complete an application form and meet the Medical Social Worker for an assessment. The application form is available at our Admissions & Business Office and Care & Counselling Department.

4. How much help can I get from Medifund?
The Hospital Medifund Committee will review the application and the amount of help from Medifund will depend upon each individual's circumstances and the patient's financial background.

For more information, you can visit the MOH website:
http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/about/faqs/policy/details.do?cid=cat_faqs_pol_medifund&id=8257612

MEDICAL BENEFITS SCHEMES

Civil Service Card Holders

1. What do I need to do during registration?
You will need to produce your Civil Service Card / Medical Benefit Identity Memo and Identity Card to the Admissions Office Staff. You will also need to complete the Medisave Authorisation Form if you wish to use your Medisave to cover any hospital charges not covered by your Civil Service Medical Benefits.

2. Can I choose a ward class that is outside my entitlement?
Yes. You just need to pay the difference not covered by your Medical Benefit Scheme.

3. How do I pay my hospitalisation charges?
Your Ministry or Government Department will settle the amount covered by your Medical Benefits. The balance will be settled through your Medisave if you have completed the Medisave Authorisation Form. You will need to pay the amount not covered by your medical benefits or Medisave using cash, cheque, NETS or credit card.

1. I enjoy medical benefits as a regular blood donor. What do I need to do?
You need to produce your Medical Benefits Card, Identity Card and a Letter of Identity from the Centre for Transfusion Medicine (formerly known as Singapore Blood Transfusion Services) for hospitalisation or day surgery.