Health Screening In Singapore: What Is Screen For Life And The Subsidised Health Screenings Singaporeans Can Receive

Mention health check-up and an expensive bill would come to mind. As a healthy individual, it could be 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 could help to identify those symptoms from the onset. Early detection would allow for better and cheaper treatment with a higher chance of recovery.

If price is an impediment for health check-ups, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) provides subsidies for essential screenings under the Screen For Life (SFL) programme. Under SFL, health screening can cost about $5 which is more affordable than a McDonald Value Meal.

What Is Screen For Life?

Screen for Life (SFL) is Singapore’s national screening programme by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) that offers eligible Singaporeans subsided health screenings. Permanent residents (PRs) are not eligible for SFL subsidies.

These subsidised screenings are carried out at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) clinics. These approved CHAS clinics include common medical groups such as Raffles Medical and Silver Cross.

SFL aims to encourage citizens to go for regular check-ups and follow-ups. It consolidates 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 SFL provides subsidised screenings for 4 chronic illnesses and 3 cancers. The 4 chronic illnesses are – diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and obesity and the 3 types of cancers are – cervical cancer (for females), breast cancer (for females) and colon cancer.

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) here to check for our risk levels.

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

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

#2 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.

#3 High Blood Cholesterol Screening

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

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

#4 Obesity Screening

Singaporeans can check their Body Mass Index (BMI) online by measuring their height and weight to calculate it via the BMI portal. If unsure, do consult the doctor during the next visit.

Cancer

#1 Cervical Cancer Screening

All Singaporean woman aged 25 years old and above, enjoy subsidised cervical cancer screenings. From the age 25 to 29-years old, subsidised screening will be 3 years from the last Papanicolaou test (Pap smear). While for age 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.

#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).

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 SFL. 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).

SFL is an initiative involving general practitioners to help reduce the burden on public healthcare resources. Therefore, polyclinics do 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)

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