Dr. Brenda Low at Gleneagles

[Eau2011]

I have a question regarding the costs of consultation, Ultrasound and others at gynae.

Today I saw Dr. Low first time at Gleneagles.
Her consultation is 130 and ultrasound 130, blood test 150.

The only price which I can compare is the ultrasound, in D it's 30€, in SG it's almost 3 times more expensive, is it the same at every gynae in SG?

How about above consultation and blood test fee? Are the prices O.K.?

Though my costs are covered by the insurance, I still want to know if the prices are O.K.. Because she already advised me to do a HSG though I told her that the doctor in D has checked me in a laparoscopy surgery in July 2009 and everything was O.K. She said it still can be blocked during the 1.5 year. And this costs 1000S$.

Because this was my first time to visit a doctor in SG, I have no idea about the SG doctors. After my bad experience with Yoga center, I'm now careful.

I heard the story that a royal family member of Brunei received a S$80 million invoice for the breast cancer treatment in SG.

Does SG have medical fee schedule, or the doctors set the prices by themselves?

Thanks!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Your first mistake was going to Gleneagles. It's a known Expat Hospital and therefore charges according.

[Eau2011]

Your first mistake was going to Gleneagles. It's a known Expat Hospital and therefore charges according.

SMS, but how do I know?

Did I make a mistake again? I checked here in the forum. I saw some people recommended Dr. Low.

I thought the medical fees are regulated by state Singapore, like in Germany. We can go to any doctor, the prices are all the same.

Can you please tell me which hospital is good and has a reasonable price system?

[sundaymorningstaple]

The problem is, you are on a expat board that is mostly populated by western expats who think they are too good to go to the government hospitals. The interesting thing is, if there are big complications with a pregnancy, 75% of the time they will transfer the patient to KK women's & childrens hospital. Even the three major government hospitals (SGH, NUH & TTSH also transfer these cases to there.

The prices there, if you are a foreigner aren't cheap, but they are still less than the private hospitals. You have probably seen KK hospital mentioned but it just didn't register. Also, private docs charge more than government docs. My first child was delivered by one of the most famous gynae of the time. He was in private practice but most private docs are also doing stints at the government hospitals as well. The private hospital are good, but you pay out the nose because they are private and therefore not regulated. You can go to the MOH website and I believe you can check prices there as they have started standardizing and becoming competitive with each other as well.

As far as which is the best, I don't know as I don't get sick (except for several bouts with kidney stones years ago due to high uric acid levels (30 year gout sufferer but no more). But to give you an example, my wife had a stent put in back in May last year and it cost her less than half of what it would have cost had she seen the same doctor at his normal hospital (private). He's one of the top, if not the top, cardio in Singapore. (But she is a citizen though.)

[Mad Scientist]

I told you to go to NUH but you wanted to try with Brenda Low.
For locals to got Mount ELizabeth , Thomson , Gleneagles or any private hospitals they are subsidies by their Medisave and Medishield. I know for a fact locals are usually charge lesser at private clinic

Why don't you call Women Clinic at NUH and compare the price with what you have been charge .


Women Clinic treats expat too. I know it takes along time to book for appointment. Talk to Sharon the office manager and see what she can do for you

[Eau2011]

Thank you very much, SMS and MS.

After I read SMS's posts yesterday, I called my health insurance (DKV globality) today. The woman on the phone said she will send me a list of hospitals in Singapore by e-mail. Then she asked me which doctor I saw, I said Dr. Low at Gleneagles. She said "Gleneagles is our preferred hospital, the insurance works with them very often".

Then she sent me a mail to confirm that Gleneagles belongs to their preferred hospitals in Singapore and DKV's medical dept. would contact the doctor regarding HSG. She also told me 10.000,-€ is covered for ART if I need it.

Guys, what shall I say? If the insurance prefers this one and is ready to pay much for them, then I'd say I will take it as it is.

Anyway, thank you both very much!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sure sounds like insurance collusion to me......

But as I said, all of the hospitals are good. Just depends on how hard you work for you money I guess. If your insurance covers the lot, then, by all means stay with Gleneagles.

[revhappy]

I told you to go to NUH but you wanted to try with Brenda Low.
For locals to got Mount ELizabeth , Thomson , Gleneagles or any private hospitals they are subsidies by their Medisave and Medishield. I know for a fact locals are usually charge lesser at private clinic

Why don't you call Women Clinic at NUH and compare the price with what you have been charge .


Women Clinic treats expat too. I know it takes along time to book for appointment. Talk to Sharon the office manager and see what she can do for you

MS, How would you compare KK with the list of private hospitals that you have mentioned? We are expecting a baby too and for the 1st visit we went to Gleneagles and then I heard from my collegues that Gleneagles is reallly expensive. Although the Prenatal cost even though expensive are bearable, but during preganancy if there are complication I will get screwed at Gleneagles

Hence we decided to go with Doctor George Mariamma at KK. What do you think? We stay in AMK and hence Thomson and Mt Alrvina are also close by. So can you please let me know how does KK compare with these 2.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I told you to go to NUH but you wanted to try with Brenda Low.
For locals to got Mount ELizabeth , Thomson , Gleneagles or any private hospitals they are subsidies by their Medisave and Medishield. I know for a fact locals are usually charge lesser at private clinic

Why don't you call Women Clinic at NUH and compare the price with what you have been charge .


Women Clinic treats expat too. I know it takes along time to book for appointment. Talk to Sharon the office manager and see what she can do for you

MS, How would you compare KK with the list of private hospitals that you have mentioned? We are expecting a baby too and for the 1st visit we went to Gleneagles and then I heard from my collegues that Gleneagles is reallly expensive. Although the Prenatal cost even though expensive are bearable, but during preganancy if there are complication I will get screwed at Gleneagles

Hence we decided to go with Doctor George Mariamma at KK. What do you think? We stay in AMK and hence Thomson and Mt Alrvina are also close by. So can you please let me know how does KK compare with these 2.

Wow! Is Dr. George still there? She delivered my second child at the old KK. He's 21 now! We had no complaints with her then an I can only assume she's just as good now if not better.

[Mad Scientist]

MS, How would you compare KK with the list of private hospitals that you have mentioned? We are expecting a baby too and for the 1st visit we went to Gleneagles and then I heard from my collegues that Gleneagles is reallly expensive. Although the Prenatal cost even though expensive are bearable, but during preganancy if there are complication I will get screwed at Gleneagles

Hence we decided to go with Doctor George Mariamma at KK. What do you think? We stay in AMK and hence Thomson and Mt Alrvina are also close by. So can you please let me know how does KK compare with these 2.

First of all congratulation on both of you. First time parent ? Good Luck, you are going to need it for the first three months once baby is born. Busy time and sleepless night.
This is the comparison charge on Hospital fees based on normal delivery
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/billsizeD ... aspx?cId=9
If your wife opts for C-sect then fees will go up. Based on hospital fees alone I think KK and NUH is not that expensive. Based on expertise of nurses and conducive facilities Mount E or Gleneagles or even Thomson are very good. Not much variation .
The one that is going to cost you is the Gynae/Obstet professional fees. Go for package delivery which will be much cheaper after the first trimester with the Gynae.Hence the second trimester visit onwards will be free on the doctor's fee.
When my son was born he had jaundice but we insisted on bringing him back home after delivery. The stuff they do using the Ultra Violet ray bed for baby is similar if you have your child sun bathe in the morning sun. Morning Sun NOT MIDDAY SUN like some goons and the child turn into BBQ roasted peanut. We did this for almost two weeks and his jaundice level came down. Then on all my kids when they were borned, I did it the same. That save us quite a bit. I understand a hospital stay for baby with jaundice for One week may run up to thousands . We went to the polyclinic to have blood test which was free just in case. The paedatrician will insist on baby staying in hospital or else he will be out of business. As long as when baby is born and checked by the PD doc and everything is fine then the baby is fine. Jaundice is a common occurrence on babies. You have to be tough on your decision on bringing your child back. Or else you will pay thru your nose when you can do it yourself.
BTW when you sun bath the child please do it near the void deck or near the balcony NOT ON THE CLOTHES BAMBOO POLES and lay your child there. One STUPID HUSBAND DID THAT and the child fell from the high floor to his death.

[sundaymorningstaple]

BTW when you sun bath the child please do it near the void deck or near the balcony NOT ON THE CLOTHES BAMBOO POLES and lay your child there. One STUPID HUSBAND DID THAT and the child fell from the high floor to his death.

[revhappy]

I told you to go to NUH but you wanted to try with Brenda Low.
For locals to got Mount ELizabeth , Thomson , Gleneagles or any private hospitals they are subsidies by their Medisave and Medishield. I know for a fact locals are usually charge lesser at private clinic

Why don't you call Women Clinic at NUH and compare the price with what you have been charge .


Women Clinic treats expat too. I know it takes along time to book for appointment. Talk to Sharon the office manager and see what she can do for you

MS, How would you compare KK with the list of private hospitals that you have mentioned? We are expecting a baby too and for the 1st visit we went to Gleneagles and then I heard from my collegues that Gleneagles is reallly expensive. Although the Prenatal cost even though expensive are bearable, but during preganancy if there are complication I will get screwed at Gleneagles

Hence we decided to go with Doctor George Mariamma at KK. What do you think? We stay in AMK and hence Thomson and Mt Alrvina are also close by. So can you please let me know how does KK compare with these 2.

Wow! Is Dr. George still there? She delivered my second child at the old KK. He's 21 now! We had no complaints with her then an I can only assume she's just as good now if not better.

Yeah, shes still practicing at KK:) We have our 1st appointment next thursday. Nice to know that she is good and so experienced

[revhappy]

MS, How would you compare KK with the list of private hospitals that you have mentioned? We are expecting a baby too and for the 1st visit we went to Gleneagles and then I heard from my collegues that Gleneagles is reallly expensive. Although the Prenatal cost even though expensive are bearable, but during preganancy if there are complication I will get screwed at Gleneagles

Hence we decided to go with Doctor George Mariamma at KK. What do you think? We stay in AMK and hence Thomson and Mt Alrvina are also close by. So can you please let me know how does KK compare with these 2.

First of all congratulation on both of you. First time parent ? Good Luck, you are going to need it for the first three months once baby is born. Busy time and sleepless night.
This is the comparison charge on Hospital fees based on normal delivery
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/billsizeD ... aspx?cId=9
If your wife opts for C-sect then fees will go up. Based on hospital fees alone I think KK and NUH is not that expensive. Based on expertise of nurses and conducive facilities Mount E or Gleneagles or even Thomson are very good. Not much variation .
The one that is going to cost you is the Gynae/Obstet professional fees. Go for package delivery which will be much cheaper after the first trimester with the Gynae.Hence the second trimester visit onwards will be free on the doctor's fee.
When my son was born he had jaundice but we insisted on bringing him back home after delivery. The stuff they do using the Ultra Violet ray bed for baby is similar if you have your child sun bathe in the morning sun. Morning Sun NOT MIDDAY SUN like some goons and the child turn into BBQ roasted peanut. We did this for almost two weeks and his jaundice level came down. Then on all my kids when they were borned, I did it the same. That save us quite a bit. I understand a hospital stay for baby with jaundice for One week may run up to thousands . We went to the polyclinic to have blood test which was free just in case. The paedatrician will insist on baby staying in hospital or else he will be out of business. As long as when baby is born and checked by the PD doc and everything is fine then the baby is fine. Jaundice is a common occurrence on babies. You have to be tough on your decision on bringing your child back. Or else you will pay thru your nose when you can do it yourself.
BTW when you sun bath the child please do it near the void deck or near the balcony NOT ON THE CLOTHES BAMBOO POLES and lay your child there. One STUPID HUSBAND DID THAT and the child fell from the high floor to his death.

Thanks MS. Yeah we are first time parents So will just continue with George Mariamma at KK.

You reminded me what MJ did to his own son from the hotel in Berlin

[Eau2011]

@revhappy, congrats! Good luck!

@MS, you really know a lot, my God. I believe you must be a very very good father.
I hope I would have success with TTC in SG and get some useful advices from you.

[Mad Scientist]

BTW when you sun bath the child please do it near the void deck or near the balcony NOT ON THE CLOTHES BAMBOO POLES and lay your child there. One STUPID HUSBAND DID THAT and the child fell from the high floor to his death.

This was splatted all over the news in the 80s.

When the police asked him "why did you place your son on a mattress with the bamboo poles underneath which was dangerous?"
He replied " I have done this for my first child and nothing happen !!"
What a stupid husband he is. Wife carried baby for 9 months and his moment of stupidity cause the baby life.

Revhappy; When you signed up for package look out for normal delivery with or without forcep, vacuum. epidural assisted , and the rest. All these add up the cost. Some hospital itemised their items on qty used even though you did not use it. Some go by bundle charges