How Much Does It Cost To See a Doctor in Singapore When a Child Falls Sick?

This was originally posted on Planner Bee.

All parents know the woes of having a child fall ill, especially when it involves trying circumstances like fever, vomiting, or other tricky symptoms. While a price cannot be put on your child’s health, it makes sense to know the costs that various healthcare routes may incur, and which you would choose given certain scenarios.

Here, we look into the different treatment options available in Singapore, and what they mean in terms of costs, waiting time and quality of treatment.

Polyclinic

This may be the most affordable and convenient option if you’re looking to get a consultation near your home, as polyclinics are located in every town. Some polyclinics also have dedicated paediatric departments.

For children below 18 years of age, the subsidised rate at National University and National Healthcare Group Polyclinics for Singapore Citizens is S$8.10. For Permanent Residents, this is S$36, and S$66.49 for non-residents.

Prices at SingHealth polyclinics are S$7.60 for Singapore Citizen children, S$32.20 for Permanent Residents, and S$68.23 for non-residents.

Subsidised prices for medication would also apply for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

However, appointment slots at the polyclinics are usually in high demand, with some polyclinics requiring you to make a booking as soon as slots are released the night before.

If you’re unable to get an appointment for your child, the next most convenient option could be to see a General Practitioner in your area.

General Practitioner (GP)

Since GP clinics are privately run, they are free to set their own fees, meaning prices may vary from clinic to clinic. The fees are generally affected by how senior the doctor is and the length of the consultation.

Short consultations may see fees ranging from S$20+ to S$30+, while longer consultations could cost more than that. Medications would also not benefit from the subsidised rates at polyclinics. Waiting times for the appointment could also vary, depending on the popularity of the doctor/clinic.

GPs also see a range of patients, from children to the elderly. While they can prescribe treatments for most common ailments, some parents may prefer to take their children to a paediatrician for more specialised diagnoses, or if their child is very young.

Private paediatrician

Private paediatricians might be the solution for parents who are looking for more tailored care for their little ones, and shorter waiting times (though this may depend on the clinic). Consultations fees are usually higher than GPs’, ranging from around S$80 to more than S$100. But since their expertise and experience are in treating children, parents may feel that the higher price point is justified.

Accident & Emergency

When symptoms are intense, coming in the form of a seizure, vomiting and diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, a fever above 39 degrees Celsius, and difficulty in breathing, you may want to head directly to a hospital’s Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This is especially if it’s late at night and nearby clinics are closed.

The consultation fee at the A&E department of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), which specialises in children’s ailments and injuries, is S$162.80. Basic laboratory investigations, basic procedures, and X-ray services are covered under this fee.

Waiting times would depend on the urgency of your child’s condition. After a nurse conducts an initial assessment of your child’s state, you will be given a queue number to see the doctor, with more urgent cases prioritised.

Urgent care clinics

For serious conditions that are not life-threatening, another option would be urgent care clinics such as the one run by NUH. These clinics usually open till later to cater to families that need to get a consultation beyond the typical clinic hours. Consultations are S$85 for Singapore Citizens, and S$100 for non-residents and Permanent Residents. This fee also covers X-ray services, basic tests and standard medication.

As an in-between of going to the A&E and seeing a paediatrician, and with a later closing time, these services are fairly in demand, so be prepared to wait for your consultation.

Payment and covering costs

Besides the usual payment methods, another way to pay for your child’s medical costs is the Baby Bonus savings account. Funds in this account can be used to pay for healthcare expenses at approved institutions up to the year that your child turns 12 years old.

As children can fall sick quite often, especially after starting at infant care or childcare, medical expenses can rack up. One way to defray these costs is through insurance such as personal accident plans. Those designed for children can allow you to claim the treatment costs for common ailments such as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), food poisoning and dengue fever. Company insurance plans could also help in footing the bills for outpatient treatments.

Pro tip: Compare personal accident plans at a glance using our table

If your child is hospitalised, then hospitalisation insurance in the form of their Integrated Shield Plan would kick in to help with the costs.

Conclusion

Getting medical treatment for your children is a crucial part of raising them, and can become a frequent occurrence as much as we try to keep them healthy. By knowing the different options available and their price points, you can select which one best suits yours and your child’s needs when it becomes necessary to seek medical help.