Coronavirus: Singaporeans who are unvaccinated by choice may face high medical bills
- According to a health ministry estimate, Covid-19 patients who need both care in ICUs and therapeutics in hospitals may have to pay about US$18,460
- The government has so far shielded residents and citizens from such medical costs throughout the pandemic by fully covering them
In general, Covid-19 patients who need both treatment in intensive care units and therapeutics in hospitals may have to pay about S$25,000 (US$18,460), according to a median estimate released by the health ministry on Thursday.
The government has so far shielded residents and citizens in the city state from such medical costs throughout the pandemic by fully covering them. But officials made the bold move to start charging Covid-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice from December 8.
“Our hospitals really much prefer not to have to bill these patients at all, but we have to send this important signal, to urge everyone to get vaccinated if you are eligible,” health minister Ong Ye Kung said in a media briefing on Monday announcing the move.
In a country where 85 per cent of the population are already fully inoculated, the government said unvaccinated Covid-19 patients make up a sizeable majority of those who need intensive inpatient care, and “disproportionately” strain its health care resources.