COVID-19: Cost of Getting Infected in Singapore

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This entry is a part of Wiki.sg's coverage on the evolving COVID-19 situation in Singapore. For more COVID-19 stories, click here.

The COVID-19 test kit (pictured) takes the form of a nasal swab test. Photo credit to Najeer Yusuf/TODAY.

In Singapore, COVID-19 testing is free.[1] As of March 2020, Singaporeans who have been admitted to public hospitals for COVID-19 will have their inpatient bills paid in full by the Singapore government.[2][3] That said, patients being treated in private hospitals are not eligible for funding.[4] All patients still have to foot their outpatient treatment bills - this includes medication and consultation costs.[5] This entry aims to provide an estimation of these outpatient costs in Singapore.

Overview

Since the Singapore government has covered inpatient costs and COVID-19 testing fees, Singaporeans only need to pay for: 

(i) PHPC charges (before hospital admission) and;

(ii) Hospital outpatient charges (once referred to the hospital's Accident & Emergency (A&E) department)

Outpatient vs. Inpatient Costs

Hospital outpatient charges are for medical services that are given before and after hospital admission. Inpatient charges are for services provided during admission.

Breakdown of costs

The table below summarises how much cost can be incurred by a COVID-19 patient in Singapore. The subsequent sections in this entry will elaborate on each of the following cost components.

Cost Incurred Estimated Total Cost Incurred
PHPC Charges (Before hospital referral) $0 - $30 Depending on the patient and the hospital: 
Individuals in Singapore can expect to pay ~$139 - $305 (or more)*** for outpatient charges.
Hospital Outpatient Charges (When referred to the hospital) A&E Service Fees* $110 - $128
Follow Up (First) Consultation $29 - $147
Miscellaneous Costs** Differs among patients

*These rates have been partially subsidised by the government.

**These include services like additional diagnostic tests and medication prescribed after the patient is discharged.

***This amount does not include miscellaneous medical costs and repeat consultations.

PHPC charges (up to S$30)

An article published by Today Online noted that patients visit their doctors two to three times before being classified as a suspected COVID-19 case.[6] As COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to less severe respiratory illnesses, it is difficult to diagnose whether the patient has been infected with COVID-19 during the first visit.[7] It should be noted that General Practitioners and PHPCs cannot administer the COVID-19 test.

Subsidised costs

The Ministry of Health (MOH) activated the Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC) Scheme on 18 February 2020. At PHPCs, patients showing respiratory symptoms enjoy a subsidised rate for treatment and medication.[8] As of 19 March 2020, there are 929 participating PHPC clinics in Singapore.[9] The following table shows the cost of treatment at PHPC registered clinics or polyclinics.[10][11]

Subsidised Rates* Maximum Cost Incurred
Singapore Citizens $10 
Assuming that a Singapore Citizen infected with COVID-19 visits the PHPC thrice before hospital admission, they will pay a maximum of $30 at this stage.
Permanent Residents
Pioneer Generation $5
Merdeka Generation
Public Assistance Cardholders Free of Charge

Doctors at PHPCs will refer their patients to the hospital if they suspect a case of COVID-19 infection.

Hospital outpatient charges

Suspected COVID-19 patients are directly conveyed to the hospital's A&E department by ambulance services.[12] At this juncture, they will be charged for (i) A&E service fees,[13] (ii) other diagnostic tests and (iii) miscellaneous treatment and consultation costs.[14][15] These costs vary across hospitals and patients. These charges are counted into the hospital outpatient bill.[16]

A&E Service Fees

On 20 March, Singapore General Hospital converted a section of its carpark into a fever screening area. Photo credit to Ariffin Jamar/ST PHOTO.

A&E service fees in Singapore's public hospitals are already partially subsidised by the government.[17] Service fees include charges for basic investigations, procedures, drugs and x-ray services.

Hospital A&E Service Fees Refs.
National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) $128 [18]
Alexandra Hospital $110 [19]
Changi General Hospital (CGH) $126 [20]
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital $122 [21]
KK Women's and Children's Hospital $120 [22]
National University Hospital (NUH) $121 [23]
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) $120 [24]
Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) $121 [25]
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) $121 [26]

Follow-up Consultation Fees

Although test results can confirm that the coronavirus is no longer active in the patient’s body, the patient may still be symptomatic. The relevant medication will be prescribed and a follow-up consultation will also be scheduled.[27] Recovered COVID-19 patients are required to pay for these fees. The following rates apply for Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) only.

Hospital First Consultation Repeat Consultation(s) Refs.
Subsidised Non-subsidised Subsidised Non-subsidised
SC PR SC PR
National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) $38 $56 $67 - $142 $36 $51 $60 - $103 [28]
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Alexandra Hospital $33 $52 $101 - $134 $33 $48 $72 - $98 [29]
Changi General Hospital (CGH) $37 $57 $110 - $142 $33 $53 $75 - $104 [30]
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital $39 $53.50 - $69.50 $66 - $140 $37 $49.50 - $61.50 $59 - $102 [31]
KK Women's and Children's Hospital $29 $114 - $143 $29 $80 - $107 [32]
National University Hospital (NUH) $37 $52 $107 - $144 $35 $48 $89 - $108 [33]
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) $37 $56 $102 - $135 $34 $51 $65 - $98 [34]
Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) $39 $62 $115 - $147 $39 $62 $80 - $107 [35]
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) $39 $59 $114 - $147 $39 $59 $79 - $107 [36]

Hospital inpatient charges (up to ~ S$6,579*)

*This amount is currently covered by the Singapore government if a patient tests positive.

COVID-19 Testing Fee ($159)

At the hospital, suspected cases of COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated in a room. The patient will then undergo a throat or nasal swab test for COVID-19.[37] According to a Facebook post where a user had uploaded their hospital bill, the cost of performing the test is $159.[38] If tested positive, the patient may be admitted directly into that hospital or transferred to NCID.

Cost of Hospitalisation - Staying in wards

Disclaimer: As of 24 March 2020, the NCID and public hospitals in Singapore have not disclosed the daily charges for their isolation wards.

Hence, the prices in the table below are based on the following assumptions: (i) COVID-19 patients are warded in the single-bed rooms (Ward Class A1) (ii) The patients are all Singaporean. Only public hospitals that have admitted confirmed COVID-19 cases are listed in this table. As of March 2020, the majority of COVID-19 cases in Singapore have been admitted to the NCID.[39]

Hospital Ward Class Daily Room Charge* Maximum Cost Incurred Refs.
National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) A1 $457 Based on current data, the average COVID-19 patient spends 12 days in the hospital.[40] 
Therefore, the maximum cost incurred ranges from $5,400 to $6,420.
[41]
Alexandra Hospital A1 $457 [42]
Changi General Hospital (CGH) A $480 [43]
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital A1 $450 [44]
KK Women's and Children's Hospital A1 $533.95 [45]
National University Hospital (NUH) A1 $535 [46]
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) A $469 [47]
Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) A1 $467 [48]
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Class A From $466.52 [49]

*All of the prices are inclusive of the Goods and Service Tax (GST).

References / Citations

  1. ↑ "No more free Covid-19 treatment for short-term visitors to Singapore". TODAY Online. March 9, 2020. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  2. ↑ Choo, Yun Ting. “Coronavirus: Singapore Government to foot bills of infected patients at public hospitals, except outpatient expenses”. The Straits Times. February 12, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Goh, Cheryl. "Foreigners to bear costs of COVID-19 treatment in Singapore | Video". Channel News Asia. March 9, 2020. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  4. ↑ Ng, Lucia. “S’pore Government Will Be Paying Hospital Bills In Full For Covid-19 Patients Admitted To Public Hospitals”. MustShare News. February 13, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Kok Yufeng. "Covid-19 accelerates healthcare transformation at Alexandra Hospital". The New Paper. March 6, 2020. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Oh, Tessa. “Explainer: Why some Covid-19 patients visit the doctor twice or thrice before they receive a diagnosis”. Today. February 12, 2020. Accessed on 9 March 2020.
  7. ↑ Parshley, Lois. “11 things everyone should know about getting the novel coronavirus”. Vox. March 18, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Yong, Clement. “Coronavirus: More than 600 GP clinics activated to provide subsidised treatment to contain Covid-19 outbreak”. The Straits Times. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  9. ↑ “Looking for PHPC near you?”. FluGoWhere. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  10. ↑ “ADDITIONAL PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION”. Ministry of Health. February 14, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  11. ↑ “Raffles Medical Clinics are Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs)”. RafflesMedical. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  12. ↑ Toh, Ting Wei. “Suspected Wuhan virus case identified at Causeway Point; affected areas disinfected after patient sent to hospital”. The Straits Times. January 28, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "Hospital Charges for Outpatients". Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  14. ↑ "Charges & Payment". National University Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  15. ↑ Hady Jay. “We came back Umrah on 29 February 2020.. Mrs was feeling unwell with slight cough and fever..”. Facebook. March 15, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215728416390191&set=a.2138620831868&type=3&theater&ifg=1
  16. ↑ "The difference between inpatient and outpatient insurance". Pacific Prime Singapore. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  17. ↑ “Hospital Charges for Outpatients”. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  18. ↑ "Outpatient Charges". Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  19. ↑ “Charges & Payment Methods”. Alexandra Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  20. ↑ “Hospital Charges”. Changi General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  21. ↑ “Hospital Charges for Outpatients”. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  22. ↑ "Charges and Payment". KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  23. ↑ “Charges & Payment”. National University Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  24. ↑ “Financial Matters”. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  25. ↑ “Outpatient Consultation Charges”. Sengkang General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  26. ↑ “Outpatient Charges”. Singapore General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  27. ↑ “Are discharged COVID-19 patients infectious?”. Ministry of Health. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  28. ↑ "Outpatient Charges". Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  29. ↑ “Charges & Payment Methods”. Alexandra Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  30. ↑ “Hospital Charges”. Changi General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  31. ↑ “Hospital Charges for Outpatients”. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  32. ↑ "Charges and Payment". KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  33. ↑ “Charges & Payment”. National University Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  34. ↑ “Financial Matters”. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  35. ↑ “Outpatient Consultation Charges”. Sengkang General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  36. ↑ “Outpatient Charges”. Singapore General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  37. ↑ Yuen Sin. “Coronavirus: Travellers with symptoms face quick test on arrival in Singapore”. The Straits Times. March 6, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  38. ↑ Hady Jay. “We came back Umrah on 29 February 2020.. Mrs was feeling unwell with slight cough and fever..”. Facebook. March 15, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215728416390191&set=a.2138620831868&type=3&theater&ifg=1
  39. ↑ “News Highlights”. Ministry of Health. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  40. ↑ “COVID-19: Recovery Patterns in Singapore (2020)”. Wiki.sg. Updated on March 24, 2020. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  41. ↑ “Inpatient Charges”. Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  42. ↑ “Charges & Payment Methods”. Alexandra Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  43. ↑ “Hospital Charges”. Changi General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  44. ↑ “Ward Accommodation at KTPH”. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  45. ↑ "Charges and Payment". KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Accessed on 24 March 2020.
  46. ↑ “Charges & Payment”. National University Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  47. ↑ “Financial Matters”. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  48. ↑ “Hospital Charges”. Sengkang General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
  49. ↑ “Type of Wards”. Singapore General Hospital. Accessed on 19 March 2020.
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