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Healthcare in Singapore: cost & waiting times
Mixed public / privateCitizens and permanent residents pay for care through a mix of government subsidies, compulsory medical savings (MediSave), universal catastrophic insurance (MediShield Life) and a safety net (MediFund). Primary care is provided by polyclinics and private GP clinics (many in Healthier SG), and both public and private hospitals are of a high standard.
Emergency number: Ambulance/Fire 995 · Police 999
How residents get care
- Enrol with a family doctor (Healthier SG) — Residents enrol with one GP clinic or polyclinic for regular care.
- Book through HealthHub or the clinic — Polyclinic appointments are made through the HealthHub app.
- Specialists by referral for subsidised rates — A polyclinic or Healthier SG referral gives subsidised specialist care at public hospitals; private specialists can be seen directly.
- Emergencies — Call 995.
Official waiting-time source
MOH publishes waiting times for admission to wards and for subsidised specialist outpatient appointments at public hospitals. Private care is usually same-week.
Ministry of Health — waiting time statistics for public hospitals ↗
Typical private costs
Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Private GP consultation | SGD 40–SGD 100 |
| Private specialist consultation | SGD 150–SGD 300 |
| Private MRI (one area) | SGD 800–SGD 1,500 |
| Cataract surgery, per eye (private) | SGD 4,500–SGD 6,500 |
| Hip replacement (private) | SGD 22,000–SGD 29,000 |
Typical waits & prices by procedure
Typical averages for comparison, not quotes. Public care is free or nominal at the point of use unless noted. Private care has no standard queue — availability depends on the provider. Where an official statistic exists (UK, Ireland, Poland) the interactive guide shows it, dated and sourced.
| Procedure | Typical public wait | Typical private price |
|---|---|---|
| GP / primary-care appointment | ~3 days | SGD 110–SGD 220 |
| Specialist consultation (first) | ~46 days | SGD 330–SGD 560 |
| MRI scan (one area) | ~21 days | SGD 650–SGD 1,100 |
| CT scan | ~21 days | SGD 740–SGD 1,300 |
| Gastroscopy / endoscopy | ~32 days | SGD 3,000–SGD 4,500 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ~63 days | SGD 4,500–SGD 6,500 |
| Knee arthroscopy | ~88 days | SGD 8,400–SGD 12,000 |
| Inguinal hernia repair | ~77 days | SGD 5,600–SGD 8,400 |
| Gallbladder removal | ~91 days | SGD 10,000–SGD 15,000 |
| Hip replacement | ~105 days | SGD 22,000–SGD 29,000 |
| Knee replacement | ~119 days | SGD 24,000–SGD 32,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | ~88 days | SGD 5,600–SGD 7,400 |
| Carpal tunnel release | ~84 days | SGD 3,300–SGD 5,000 |
| X-ray | ~7 days | SGD 150–SGD 280 |
| Ultrasound scan | ~14 days | SGD 280–SGD 520 |
| Echocardiogram | ~21 days | SGD 470–SGD 780 |
| Colonoscopy | ~35 days | SGD 3,300–SGD 5,200 |
| Coronary angiogram | ~21 days | SGD 4,700–SGD 7,100 |
| Varicose vein removal | ~70 days | SGD 5,600–SGD 8,400 |
| Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy) | ~95 days | SGD 17,000–SGD 24,000 |
| Rotator cuff repair (shoulder) | ~88 days | SGD 12,000–SGD 17,000 |
| Hysterectomy | ~70 days | SGD 13,000–SGD 20,000 |
| Vasectomy | ~35 days | SGD 740–SGD 1,300 |
| Bunion surgery | ~88 days | SGD 7,400–SGD 10,000 |
Prescriptions
Subsidised medicines are dispensed at polyclinics and public hospitals for residents; private clinics dispense directly at their own prices.
Dental care
Subsidised dental care at polyclinics and CHAS clinics for residents; private dental is expensive.
Adult public dental cover: subsidised. Typical self-pay prices:
| Treatment | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | SGD 70–SGD 150 |
| Scale & polish | SGD 100–SGD 205 |
| Filling | SGD 150–SGD 340 |
| Extraction | SGD 150–SGD 425 |
| Root canal | SGD 505–SGD 1,185 |
| Crown | SGD 675–SGD 1,520 |
| Implant (post only) | SGD 2,030–SGD 4,230 |
| Implant + crown | SGD 3,380–SGD 5,920 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | SGD 675–SGD 1,520 |
| Full denture (per arch) | SGD 845–SGD 2,030 |
Finding a doctor or specialist
Well-known hospital groups (listed, not vetted or ranked):
- Mount Elizabeth Hospitals ↗
- Raffles Hospital ↗
- Gleneagles Hospital Singapore ↗
- Singapore General Hospital (public) ↗
Check a provider's inspection rating or registration with Ministry of Health Singapore ↗.
Health insurance
Insurers and schemes people in Singapore commonly use, and cover for visitors. Listed for comparison, not recommended — check the policy wording yourself.
| Insurer | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MediShield Life (via CPF) ↗ | National / public scheme | Basic insurance for residents. |
| Great Eastern ↗ | Local health insurer | Integrated Shield and health plans. |
| Income Insurance ↗ | Local health insurer | Integrated Shield and health plans. |
| Prudential Singapore ↗ | Local health insurer | Integrated Shield and health plans. |
Visiting Singapore?
Your entitlement: None — no agreement with the UK and the GHIC isn't valid. Visitors pay unsubsidised rates, which are high.
EHIC / GHIC: EHIC/GHIC not valid.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies (Guardian, Watsons, Unity) are widespread. Some medicines need a permit to bring in — check before travelling.
Insurance: Travel insurance essential — treatment is expensive.
Useful links
Open the full interactive guide, compare tool & tracker →Content last checked: 2026-10-02. Figures are typical/official-source references, not quotes — see the links above for the current real number.