Health Screening In Singapore: What Is Healthier SG Screening And The Subsidised Health Screenings Singaporeans Can Receive

Mention health check-up, and what comes to mind are expensive bills and time-consuming scheduling. As a healthy (and busy) individual, it is more than tempting to brush away the need for a regular health check-up.

However, prevention is better than cure. Many chronic illnesses are unassuming in the early stages. Regular check-ups can help identify symptoms from the onset. Early detection allows for better management and possibly less costly and invasive treatments, with a higher chance of recovery.

Fortunately for Singaporeans, price can no longer be what’s stopping you from going for health check-ups today, with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) subsidies for essential screenings under the Healthier SG Screening programme. For those who are wondering, the old Screen for Life (SFL) has been renamed to Healthier SG Screening.

Read Also: Healthier SG: How Can Singaporeans Benefit By Enrolling With A Family Doctor?

What Is Healthier SG Screening?

Healthier SG Screening is Singapore’s national screening programme by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) that offers eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) subsided health screenings. Those who are PRs should check with the clinic for both the cost of the screening test and doctor’s consultation.

The subsidised screenings are carried out at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinics. Approved CHAS GP clinics include common medical groups such as Raffles Medical, Silver Cross and Healthway Medical.

The Healthier SG Screening programme aims to encourage citizens to go for regular check-ups and follow-ups. The scheme was renamed from SFL, which was itself a consolidation of HPB’s screening programmes, previously known as Integrated Screening Programme, BreastScreen Singapore, CervicalScreen Singapore, Community Functional Screening Programme, and National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme.

Read Also: Complete Guide To Healthcare Financing In Singapore

Who Is Eligible For Subsidies And What Are The Prices?

The current Healthier SG Screening programme provides subsidised screenings for certain chronic illnesses and cancers.

The chronic illnesses are:
1) Diabetes
2) High blood cholesterol
3) High blood pressure
4) Obesity

The types of cancers include:

1) cervical cancer (for women aged 25 and above)
2) breast cancer (for women aged 50 and above)
3) colon cancer (for men and women aged 50 and above)

Subsidies for each screening are dependent on gender and age. Listed below are the eligibility criteria for each screening and the rates.

Chronic Illnesses

#1 Diabetes Screening

Singaporeans aged 18 to 39-years old who are deemed “at higher risk” can be eligible for subsidised diabetes screening. We can take the Online Diabetes Risk Assessment (DRA) to check for our risk levels, which is typically based on risk factors such as weight, high blood pressure, diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes in your family, and diagnosis of gestational diabetes during pregnancy (females).

Upon being assessed to be at higher risk by the DRE test, an email for subsidised cardiovascular risk screening will be sent if we meet the eligibility criteria. Upon confirmation, do present the email at the clinic for the screening appointment.

To screen for diabetes (and high blood cholesterol), a fasting venous blood test (where blood is drawn from the arm vein) will be used to check your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. You can also ask your doctor about a non-fasting blood test to find out if it is suitable for you.

Subsidies for diabetes screenings are only available once every 3 years. Below are the subsidised rates for Singaporeans.

#2 High Blood Cholesterol Screening

Singaporeans aged above 40-years old are recommended to go for high blood cholesterol screening.

Similarly, a fasting venous blood test (where blood is drawn from the arm vein) will be used to check your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. And, you can also ask your doctor about a non-fasting blood test to find out if it is suitable for you.

Subsidies for high blood cholesterol screening are also only available once every three years.

#3 High Blood Pressure Screening

Similar to diabetes screening eligibility criteria, Singaporeans aged 18 to 39-years old who are deemed “at higher risk” based on the DRA test will be recommended for high blood pressure screening.

To screen for high blood pressure, a blood pressure test is used to measure the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. As part of the measuring process, the blood pressure cuff will be wrapped around your arm. 

#4 Obesity Screening

Singaporeans can be screened for obesity, measuring their height and weight (to calculate the Body Mass Index, BMI), and waist circumference.

Cancers

#1 Cervical Cancer Screening

All Singaporean women aged 25 years old and above, enjoy subsidised cervical cancer screenings. From the age 25 to 29 years old, subsidised screening will be offered 3 years from the last Papanicolaou test (Pap smear). While for those aged 30 years old and above, subsidised screenings will be every 5 years from the last human papillomavirus (HPV) test.

#2 Breast Cancer Screening

Singaporean women aged 50-years old and above are eligible for subsidised mammogram for breast cancer.

Subsidies for Breast Cancer screening are only available every two years. Blue/Orange CHAS cardholders get to enjoy more subsidies that are provided by Singapore Cancer Society, which may be subject to changes.

If you are 50 years old and above, you can use your Medisave or the Medisave account of an immediate family member for your mammogram under the Medisave500 scheme. However, note that the HealthHub website recommends that women aged 40 to 49 go for a mammogram once a year.

#3 Colorectal Cancer Screening

All Singaporeans aged 50-years old and above are eligible for colorectal cancer screening. The subsidised screening applies only for Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT).

FIT detects the presence of small amounts of blood (that cannot be seen with the naked eye) in the stools. If the test shows a positive result (abnormal), it means that the amount of blood present in your stool is higher than normal. However, it does not mean that you have cancer. Further testing is necessary to confirm if you have colorectal cancer. This will be done during the follow-up appointment.

Subsidies for colorectal cancer (FIT) screening are only available once a year.

Read Also: Beginners’ Guide To Understanding How Cancer Insurance Plans In Singapore Work

Additionally, we could also use SingPass to find out which subsidies we are eligible for under Healthier SG Screening. After confirming the eligibility, it is recommended to make an appointment with the respective CHAS clinic before going for screening.

On the day of screening, do bring along the essential documents such as NRIC and relevant cards (CHAS/Merdeka Generation/Pioneer Generation /Public Assistance).

Healthier SG Screening is an initiative involving general practitioners (GP) to help reduce the burden on public healthcare resources. Therefore, polyclinics may not enjoy the same subsidised rate as CHAS clinics. The screening prices at polyclinics will remain according to the rates of current polyclinic subsidies. Do check at the individual polyclinics for existing rates and screenings available.

Read Also: Complete Guide To The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)