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Cancer and Insurance in Singapore: A Pre-Existing Condition?

Cancer is a major cause of mortality in Singapore. Pacific Prime provides information and helpful links for those in the city, and explains why it is important to have the right kind of health insurance for cancer treatment.

Posted on Jun 15, 2015 by Travis Jones

 

Like most developed nations, Singapore is, sadly, seeing higher levels of cancer every year. Among men, the three most frequent cancers since 2009 are colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. For women, the three most frequent are breast, colorectal and lung. (Click here to see more statistics on cancer in Singapore from the Health Promotion Board.) Although people in Singapore generally enjoy high life expectancy, lung and colorectal cancer fatalities in Singapore are some of the highest in the Southeast Asia region. Cancer is the number one killer in Singapore, responsible for one out of every three deaths.

Saying all of that, Singapore is a world leader in health care and both doctors and administrators are taking steps all the time to reduce the nation’s cancer incidence and fatality rates.

Cancer treatment and services in Singapore

Health care facilities in Singapore are world-class and provide easy access to treatment, as well as preventative and diagnostic cancer care. A regional leader for research and treatment, the National Cancer Centre Singapore recommends a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care. Depending on the severity of the cancer diagnosis, a patient may require medical experts in not just oncology but also radiation, surgery, diagnosis and palliative care.

Patients in Singapore should have little problem contacting a primary oncologist who can discuss diagnosis and treatment options, and recommend other medical professionals to support different parts of a patient’s cancer care, including psychological services. Depending on the type of cancer and its severity, a patient may undergo surgery to remove a tumor, radiation to kill cancerous cells locally, or chemotherapy if the cancer is rapidly spreading. None of these options are cheap, and, unfortunately, they aren’t always effective. Cancer is a deadly disease – but the good news is that the comprehensive oncological system in Singapore affords patients access to world-class physicians and treatment options.  

Is cancer treatment covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans offer a good level of coverage for cancer care, but some don’t. That’s because some insurance policies classify cancer as a pre-existing condition – especially in cases where the patient has already recovered from one bout of the disease, but then experiences a recurrence. Cancer can also be considered a pre-existing condition if the patient has a family history of cancer or if cancer arises within the first 24 months of starting a new insurance plan.

Pacific Prime believes that diagnosis and treatment for cancer are essential health care services. That’s why our plans do not exclude pre-existing conditions. Our insurance partners provide a quality level of cancer coverage, with no exclusions under a pre-existing condition clause. It’s insurance we feel certain anyone with a family history of cancer or who is otherwise predisposed to a cancerous condition would appreciate.

To find out more about obtaining comprehensive insurance coverage that protects you from the costs of cancer treatment, talk to one of the friendly and knowledgeable agents at Pacific Prime Singapore. They can answer any and all questions you may have, and provide a free quote comparing plans from top insurers. Contact them today!

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