Advice Please

[Adders]

My husband is about to change jobs, and we will no longer have private medical care provided by his company. We rarely get ill, and neither of us have had to call on the services of a doctor during 7 months in Singapore, so my question is: is there a real need for private medical insurance over public services? NB We don't have children and we are both UK expats. Thanks.  

[Wife]

No - it's Sod's Law isn't it? You can just bet that because you *don't* have medical insurance, then something is very likely to go wrong. My mother came to visit - forgot to get insurance and fell down a monsoon drain. Bashed her head and fractured her wrist. Not life-threatening by any means, but medical insurance would have been cheaper!

We also thought that we were healthy and "never get ill". Then my husband collapsed with kidney stones. Very suddenly and totally out-of-the-blue. It's also very expensive too.

You *must* make sure that you are adequately covered.    

[better be safe than sorry]

I've lived overseas for years and the occasional BUPA claims I made was minimal.  HOWEVER, in the last 2 years I had to an have emergency operation followed by costly follow up visits to the specialist and medicines, which I couldn't have afforded to pay myself.  I too thought the same as you but it's NOT worth it..better to be safe than sorry

[Fat Bob]

You can get a basic cover from places like NTUC quite cheaply that should cover you for any emergency op you need. I'm talking less than $500 each. In actual fact not even that much, I believe

For anything non-emergency, then would you think about hopping on a plane home to get it sorted?

[SR]

Would advise you get the insurance.

We have been here for nearly a year now and just got around to organising the insurance in December.  Through various mishaps it did not come into force until 25 Jan and there was a lie period of til 25 Feb in which they would only cover accidents.  On 16 Feb our son was admitted to hospital for 5 nights and we got out yesterday after another 4 night stay.  Needless to say the insurance company will not pay and so far we have spent $5000.

The reasons we had dragged our feet a bit on the insurance was that we were covered for out-patient care through our work and are all well etc so were shopping around (without much commitment or enthusiasm to the task)for a policy which suited us.

Luckily we have the $5000 and when all's said and done, if it's your children's health that is at stake all that you care about is them being well again.  If I read this post I would say "silly twits they should have sorted it out before"  (I still think that) ... this is a lesson very well learnt for us ... "he who hesitates is lost".

Like I said ... get the insurance, or invite responses here for people who have decided not to and have got away with it.

[Adders]

I kid you not, but in an ironic twist of fate, I was admitted to hospital late last week with a kidney infection. I spent three nights there. I am now home and on the mend. I am still somewhat dazed that I had posted my question on the message board, and what you warned me might happen, did. I had never been admitted to hospital before. Absolutely bizarre!

[Suzie Q]

Adders. If you are travelling a lot I would definitely recommend that you get medical insurance should you need emergency evacuation. I get mine from CGU...also not that expensive so worth considering.
Suz