JB hospital sees surge in Singapore patients using MediSave for treatment

About 90% of patients from Singapore using MediSave at Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru are women, with maternity-related care among the most common treatments. This number has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital, the sole participant in Singapore’s overseas MediSave scheme, sees about 150 to 200 international patients daily, mostly from Indonesia and Singapore.

CEO Serena Yong noted that affordability and accessibility are key considerations for Singapore patients seeking treatment in Johor Bahru. While dollar-to-dollar costs are about the same or slightly higher in JB, currency conversion makes them roughly one-third lower. Patients should also consider factors beyond cost, such as the quality of care, safety, and accessibility of doctors.

The Ministry of Health has allowed Singaporeans and permanent residents to use MediSave for elective hospitalisations and day surgeries overseas since 2010. Patients must undergo a clinical assessment and financial counselling through Health Management International before using MediSave overseas. Lower treatment costs in Malaysia have been a significant draw, with savings ranging from 24 to 74% for various procedures compared to Singapore.

However, patients should not solely focus on the sticker price but consider the total cost of treatment, including consultation, pre-op tests, hospital stay, anaesthetist fees, medication, and follow-up visits. Insurance coverage is another crucial factor, as most Integrated Shield Plans and MediShield Life do not cover overseas private treatment.

With the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, cross-border healthcare could become more accessible, potentially making it a "growing, meaningful supplement" to Singapore’s healthcare system.