how much for visit to GP

[jams18]

I was wondering how much it was to visit the doctor for an adult and a 14 year old.
My husbands job offer includes a surgical and hospitalization insurance plan for us but they have mentioned the local legislations do not allow them to cover us under the outpatients plans.

Question 1
Does a general visit to the GP/clinic..say for the flu etc come under outpatient?

Question 2
How much for a visit to the GP, and are prescription costs high?

Question 3
Is this a stock standard insurance plan?

They suggested we continue with our private medical insurance plan in our own country for this.  Is this possible.

This is all new territory for me.
Any help would be most appreciated..

[ultimax]

sometimes it depends on where the GP's located, and if he owns the clinic or works for a medical group (like Raffles Med)

My GP, situated at the bottom of a HDB block in Clementi Ave 2 charges $10 for consultation. My bill has never exceeded $25 (it's usually $18 for flu and common ailments). I used to visit a s****ier GP in Bukit Timah and she used to charge min. $25.

Specialist help is a bit more expensive - consultation alone will set you back $50 (and that's at public hospitals)

[jams18]

Thanks Ultimax..much appreciated for that.
Sounds reasonable, I pay about NZD45 to go to my GP and for my daughter 26.
Occassionally she needs to use an inhaler for asthma during a cold, and that is expensive if the Govt didn't subsidise it here.  I imagine it would be expensive in SG.
Ultimax I note you are military.  My husband is also  military, with the Royal New Zealand Airforce, but looking at a job proposal for coming over next year.

Again many thanks.

[FluBug]

The cheapest GP's can be found at any of the Singapore Polyclinics which are run by the government. They charge $8 for consultation and my flu medicines came up to another $8. You can look up the locations at www.gov.sg/moh/health/mohiss/fhs/clinics.html

[Coaster]

Jams 18:
I have a Medical Insurance and outpatient costs are available albeit limited. Medical fees can cause a lot of damage.
What local regulations are you referring to?
Why not check with MediBroker. They advertise at top of page - "Post Reply" Page.

[Stellah]

Can expats go to the government run clinics?  We have been going to a expat clinic uptil now, but since my husband lost his job and now is on a lcoal package, I have to look for a cheaper way of getting medical treatment.  The one I have been going to charges $45 just to see the Dr, so if we can only pay $10 that would be a great saving.

[jams18]

Thanks for the info everyone.  Much appreciated

Coaster
I don't know what local legislation.  I imagine singapore legislation.  What I wrote in my opening question about legislation is verbatim what the job proposal had in it.
Am wondering if the wool is being pulled over our eyes.  So i am not sure, how legit their statement is.
I certainly have a broad sprectrum of costs in regard to visiting the GP.
Also is outpatient meaning a trip to the GP for the flu, or say an ear infection?

[evehow]

Non-Singaporeans can certainly use the Polyclinic.  Most of them are decent although the main complaint is the long waiting time (2 hours) and the medication prescribed ("standard" medication which may not be the "branded" type... afterall prescription is subsidised as well).

It seems that there're different "ranks" as far as private clinics go.  I go to a clinic at Ngee Ann City and for normal ailments such as flu or ear infection, the bill has never gone above $30.  

I've never heard anything about legislations not allowing them to cover expats for outpatient (i.e. anything not involving hospitalisation e.g. day surgeries etc).  Medical benefits are private arrangements between the company and the employee and I don't see where legislation figures.  Maybe if you get them to quote exactly what "legislation" they are talking abt.

[ultimax]

Jams18,

sorry I overlooked your post! I was in the military, am no longer! I hear they've dissolved the NZ Air Force? Or did they rethink their decision?

With regards to GPs, if you want someone who's great in service, is attentive and has a nice clinic, you will have to pay accordingly. Medical professionals here, IMO, are all very good and highly trained. Some may not be as detailed as others, but by far and large, all of them do a pretty good job in getting me better.

Clinics are aplenty in the HDB estates. and consultation+meds doesn't usually go above $25 (usually sub-20). GPs here will readily refer you to a specialist if they feel that you need to get advanced medical.

Outpatient treatment usually refers to treatment at a hospital where you don't need to be warded. I guess seing a GP's outpatient treatment too, done my a private practitioner and not at the hospital.

Asthma is a common ailment in SG. Although I myself don't suffer from it, I know a lot of local friends do, and I think their medical bills are definitely affordable and bearable. So don't worry!

It's major illness and hospitalization which can be a huge burden, esp if you are a foreigner (don't think u'll get subsidised). But for common medical probs, which u'll prob get once every few mths, you'll prob pay less than a meal for 2 at a good restaurant.

[This message has been edited by ultimax (edited 01-12-2002).]