Cancer Treatment Cost in Singapore – CancerCare

Regions in the world that historically have a high risk of cancer have greatly benefited from progressive breakthroughs in cancer treatment and early screening, evidenced by the disease's decreasing mortality rates. However, the major stumbling block for testing and treatment in some countries is the high cancer-related costs of treatments. Therefore, the need for local governments to have a system that coordinates proper cancer treatments in both public and private hospitals is essential.

Improvements in Singapore's cancer treatment plan

Cancer treatment in Singapore has evolved in the past ten years and is still doing so. In terms of cancer research, the country has heavily invested in creating cancer programs guided by clinician-scientists, with a special focus on care tailored to the specific cancer type a patient has.

The nation-state is also striving to further increase awareness of the increasing cost of cancer treatment in Singapore. Though various ways to identify treatments for cancer are emerging, the cost of cancer management and therapies does not come with a low financial cost. It must be emphasised that cost-effective cancer treatments are a must. It must also lead to good quality of life for the person and the patient's family.

Singapore's National Medical Insurance Plan is a comprehensive plan that allows the country to cover cancer healthcare costs. These include such treatments as medical supplies, medical expenses, cancer drugs, and cancer treatment such as radiation therapy or surgery, chemotherapy, and biopsy. Access to a private hospital is also included since 10% of the country's population receives treatment from a private hospital. Meanwhile, 90% of them receive care after diagnosis.

Biopsy Test Cost

A biopsy test can identify the presence of cancer. The process involves the removal of a tissue sample or cells from the body. The tissue or cell sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing. Biopsies are recommended if one exhibits specific symptoms that a medical provider has assessed as a cause of concern.

In Singapore, the average biopsy cost in a public hospital is S$1,044. The same procedure in private hospitals or clinics can reach more than S$5,000.

Below are various biopsy costs based on the type of cancer one has and the kind of hospital the procedure will be performed in. So far, a lung biopsy to detect cancer is the most costly as it can range from almost S$2,000. The least expensive biopsy is for skin cancer as it only costs less than S$500. Take note that these prices are from a subsidised public ward.

Biopsy procedures in private hospitals are more costly as their price can double and even quintuple.

Chemotherapy Treatment Cost

Chemotherapy is a medical cancer treatment that utilises cancer-related medications to destroy abnormal cells to halt their spread in the body. These drugs can either be used independently or combined with other cancer treatments.

Essentially, the purpose of chemotherapy is

• a patient's primary cancer treatment

• used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery, to kill any residual cancer cells

• used to prepare patients for additional cancer treatments after a different treatment has been used to shrink a tumour

• to minimise cancer symptoms – often, this refers to palliative care chemotherapy

Though chemotherapy comes with some side effects, these are generally mild and easy to treat. However, there may be instances that it may result in serious medical complications.

Chemotherapy costs in public and private hospitals

Treating cancer using chemotherapy is not a one-off deal. It requires recurrent cycles that are usually accompanied by a rest period. Usually, these cycles can take place every week, every two weeks, or more. Chemotherapy cancer drugs are given out in four or more cycles to eliminate the disease completely.

The following are tables of the actual cost of chemotherapy based on the specific type of cancer one has and the hospital where the treatment will be performed. The total cost of cancer treatments includes doctor's fees, ward charges, tests including blood tests, medication, and other cancer-related expenses.

Surgery Cost

The average surgery cost in a subsidised public ward for common cancers is S$2,810. The same procedure in a private hospital is more than S$32,000. Generally, a subsidised public hospital ward costs drastically less than a public hospital that does not provide subsidised treatments. But compared to a private hospital, an unsubsidised public ward is still cheaper by more than half.

Surgery cost of common cancers

Below are five common cancers, the cost of surgery for each cancer type, and the hospital type where the procedure will be performed.

Other Treatment Cost

Other than conventional cancer treatments such as biopsy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy treatment and surgery, palliative care and hospice care are non-traditional therapies that can improve patients' lives as they go through a major long-term illness.

The value of palliative care and hospice care

These therapies aim to bring comfort to patients by supporting their physiological needs and providing them with emotional, psychological, and spiritual relief. These unconventional treatments will ensure that the cancer patient and their family are supported. It is critical that people with cancer do not feel they have to deal with their medical condition by themselves. Having the support of friends and family can ease the burden of having the disease.

Palliative care starts as early as upon having a cancer diagnosis. It can also occur at the same time as having treatments.

Hospice care is a special type of care that is given when a patient has been determined to be in their last stages of life. It is provided to manage the symptoms and provide care and comfort to the patient rather than trying to cure the disease.

Singapore makes sure that both palliative and hospice care, especially any of its related costs, are affordable to those who qualify for it. This is made possible through financial assistance schemes made via welfare organizations that volunteer their services to those who need them the most. The HCA Hospice Care and the Assisi Hospice and Metta Welfare offer no-cost hospice care for individuals who belong to the lower-income category.

The Ministry of Health also created the Inpatient Hospice Palliative Care Service to respond to people's needs for care services and is designed for inpatients.

The average cost of either hospice care or palliative care in Singapore is more than S$7,000.

The country's national insurance programme is rooted in the belief that everyone is responsible for their individual health. Good health can be achieved by allowing everyone to experience accessible and affordable healthcare. Policies are still being improved and continually assessed as Singapore is recognised internationally as a healthcare hub.

Cancer treatment access

There are different types of protection made available for Singapore citizens to have access to healthcare, especially for those who have inadequate support.

The first type of protection the government has provided covers as much as 80% of a patient's total bills as long as these are within Singapore's acute public hospital wards.

The second is made possible by Medisave – mandatory medical savings account program that makes it possible for citizens to pay for their part of medical treatment with zero financial hardship. Singaporeans and their corresponding employers share a part of their monthly salary into the account to use for their future health care needs until after their retirement.

The third protection, provided by MediShield Life – a basic health insurance plan that aims to pay for citizens' hospital bills and expensive outpatient cancer drug treatments or even non-cancer drugs and therapies such as dialysis.

The MediShield Life health insurance plan also covers pre-existing conditions. The government ensures that the scheme adheres to policies via the MediShield Life Council's regular review of MediShield life's proper administration, including appropriate guidelines of the overall Medishield life payouts and MediShield life claim limits.

Singaporeans can also opt to supplement their coverage with the Integrated Shield plan. This provides added private insurance coverage. Due to its additional benefits, plan premiums are also higher compared to MediShield life claims. Singaporeans aged 40 can opt to have ElderShield. It comes with a Central Provident Fund Board account to protect them from financial risks against severe disability.

Lastly, MediFund is a government medical endowment fund that functions as a safety net for financially struggling patients due to remaining and unpaid medical bills even after receiving subsidies and using their health insurance or cancer insurance.

Subsidies from the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health, thanks to its acceptance of the recommendations made by MediShield Life Council, is aiding the financing of cancer treatment costs. Citizens are to be provided with approved drugs for cancer-related treatments, which can be claimed through MediShield Life.

The coverage of the treatments is 90% of those available within the public sector. Similarly, more cancer-related medications will be subsidised via the Medication Assistance Fund because the government will increase the eligible income criteria. This means patients will pay less for expensive cancer drugs and gain easy access to cost-effective drugs. 90% of citizens will see their medication-related bills 100% covered via Medishield life.

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/government-enhances-subsidies-to-improve-affordability-of-cancer-treatment_17Aug2021

Subsidies from the Singapore Cancer Society

Singapore Cancer Society – a welfare group that aims to lessen cancer's impact on the public through education, awareness, screening, financial assistance, and research – is self-funded and highly dependent on donations. Since 1995, it has been officially institutionalised as a charity by the Ministry of Health.

Patients from low or middle-income families will receive one-time financial assistance within six months of being diagnosed with cancer.

Those eligible for the Singapore Cancer Society's subsidies are those whose per capita monthly income is less than S$1,200. These group of people will be deemed Blue Health Assist cardholders.

Meanwhile, those whose monthly income per capita is less than S$2,000 but more than S$1,200 can expect to receive S$500.

Since 2015, more than 6,000 patients have received aid, which is equivalent to more than S$5 million in financial assistance.

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/government-enhances-subsidies-to-improve-affordability-of-cancer-treatment_17Aug2021

MSIG CancerCare Plus Insurance

MSIG CancerCare Plus Insurance offers Major Cancer benefits and Early Stage Cancer accelerated benefits. The insured will receive full payment of S$100,000 if they are diagnosed with major cancer. Those who receive an Early Stage Cancer diagnosis will receive a $50,000 payout.

With the aid of MSIG CancerCare Plus, patients will get a peace of mind knowing that they are protected against the major costs of cancer treatments. The policy covers inpatient and outpatient cancer treatment expenses. This insurance policy also helps to cover the costs of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments in both public and private hospitals.

Essentially, cancer treatment depends on its length and the complexity of the procedure, and whether it is conducted in a private hospital or a public and subsidised hospital. Conventional treatments include biopsies, surgery, and chemotherapy. Non-traditional therapies also aid in helping relieve a patient's quality of life.

These treatment costs are easily accessible and affordable, thanks to government subsidies and private health insurance. Opt for financial assistance you feel you are qualified to receive and acquire.