Wondering where Expats go for their health care?

[Mike Grayson]

Wondering where Expats go for their health care?

Does the company provide you with a list of doctors to go with or do you do your own research, and pick the doctor yourself?

What influences your decision (e.g., cost, travel, reputation, etc)?

[Mad Scientist]

You are spamming aren't you ?

[Mike Grayson]

No I am not spamming

No I am not selling anything and or make referrals to any clinics / doctors, but researching opinions of finding out how expats in Singapore find a GP and or specialist when there and so many wellness choices.

Actually, there is no research on the the topic, because most of knowledge is so generalized on many websites. So, I would rather hear it from expats to get a sense of their choices.

[nakatago]

No I am not spamming

No I am not selling anything and or make referrals to any clinics / doctors, but researching opinions of finding out how expats in Singapore find a GP and or specialist when there and so many wellness choices.

Actually, there is no research on the the topic, because most of knowledge is so generalized on many websites. So, I would rather hear it from expats to get a sense of their choices.

company-provided medical insurance, then the internet, also word of mouth

[joemy123]

what happened here?

[sundaymorningstaple]

OP spit his dummy. Happens now & again when they pick a name for a nick like lots of spammers do and asks an open ended question that begs for a opening to start the spammer's spiel. Mr. Grayson obviously took offense and spit his dummy. We tend to err on the side of caution and if you had any idea of just how many spammers we delete in the course of 24 hours, you would understand why the regulars police & question as much as the moderators do.

You need a thick skin sometimes when a newbie on any forum.

[taxico]

wellness... is not... healthcare.... i think.

off topic: there're about 11-12 doctors with american MDs in singapore... half of which are in public hospitals and most are specialists.

[Mike Grayson]

Actually, the post is just informal information on experiences of expats willing to discuss (open-ended) ways to finding GP’s / Specialists. I have found recently from expats posts:

1.) If you have corporate coverage, most of them will have a list of panel doctors for you to choose from. However, in our case we can still go to other GPs but it means paying then claiming back from the insurer.

2.) I would suggest you browsing the internet. Also try the insurance brokers where you can go and ask questions and they work with all the insurance companies so they should know.

3.) If you have an insurance package, you have the option of using local or private doctors. Insurance plans here do not limit you to certain doctors or certain health care providers like in other countries. My insurance package lets me see any doctor in any country other than the U.S.

4.) company-provided medical insurance, then the internet, also word of mouth → Thanks nakatago for the posting.

5.) As non-residents, public hospitals may not be cheaper than private hospitals as we pay private rates.

6.) I found my doctor the same way you would "back home". I went to the HDB one closest to my home. I live in HDBs- not condo complexes, so there are usually one or two medical clinics nearby. After a few years of moving around, I found one I like, and now I still see him for anything difficult, because he's a highly qualified family doctor.

7.) off topic: there're about 11-12 doctors with american MDs in singapore... half of which are in public hospitals and most are specialists. --> Thanks taxico for the positing.

8.) This is where your informal information would be appreciated.

[carteki]

Personally I don't enjoy the level of medical care received in Singapore.

- I find the 'clinic style waiting your turn' very frustrating. I want to make an appointment for a specific time and be out quickly thereafter

- I am concerned about the level of care given when they only prescribe the drugs that they hold, rather than the best drug for the condition. I have had one doc say to me "I should give you x, but we don't have it in stock"

- I find that the "corporate clinics" are more likely to give you drugs and less likely to give you MC's than the HDB doc's. I am a great believer in letting the body heal itself, but if I require an MC for every day I'm off work it gets tedious (back home I require an MC after 2 days off)

- I also miss having a "personal doctor" (although fortunately I now attend a single doctor practice) who I have some history with, rather than just a number on a patient card

- not having own transport is a limiting factor when going to see a doctor. a 10 minute walk is close, but when you're falling down ill it may as well be the other side of town - so you're limited to a doc who is close by, but not necessarily good.

my 2c

[joemy123]

"there're about 11-12 doctors with american MDs in singapore..."really?

[boffenl]

I've run across one or two of those American MD's here at SingHealth. You wouldn't know they're American until they open their mouths--then they sound just like the rest of us.

I also go to a single doctor practice near my HDB. My husband and daughter now do too. It's convenience and familiarity. The SG doctors all came from the same school and had the same mentors/professors. I've had good quality care at NUH as well and was lucky to get recommendations for specialists there.

All in all, we've been very pleased with the healthcare costs and options in SG.