FAQs for International Patients
Appointments
Can I make an appointment if I am not based in Singapore?
Appointments can be made through our 24- hour dedicated appointment hotline at +65 6311 1222. Alternatively, you may email to enquiries@raffleshospital.com and we would respond to your query within the next working day.
Are same-day appointments available?
We try to accede to your preferred date of appointment as much as possible. Otherwise, the next available appointment will be offered.
I do not know which doctor I should consult. What should I do?
Please provide us with your medical reports and detailed current conditions at enquiries@raffleshospital.com. We would forward the medical reports to the right specialists and coordinate your visits if you are required to consult various specialists.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for an appointment?
No, doctor’s referral letters are not required for an appointment with our doctors.
What medical information should I bring with me?
Please bring along relevant information on your medical condition, including reports, scans, list of current and past medication and memo from referring doctor (if any).
Can I consult a specialist without an appointment?
It is strongly advisable to have a prior arranged appointment to avoid unnecessary waiting time.
How long does it take to schedule a surgery after my consultation with the doctor?
Depending on the urgency and complexity of the surgery, a surgery schedule could be arranged within 3 days of consultation or earlier.
Travel Planning
Do I need a visa to enter Singapore for medical reason?
You may refer below for the list of countries that require visas to enter Singapore.
| Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Georgia India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Moldova Myanmar Nigeria Russia People's Republic of China Tajikistan Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Afghanistan |
Algeria Bangladesh Egypt Iran Iraq Jordan Lebanon Libya Morocco Pakistan Saudi Arabia Somalia Sudan Syria Tunisia Yemen |
I need an entry visa into Singapore. Would Raffles Hospital issue a Letter of Introduction to me?
Raffles Hospital is authorised by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to apply entry visa on behalf of our patients. For more information, please contact our International Patients Centre at enquiries@raffleshospital.com
Would Raffles Hospital assist me with the extension of social pass if I need to stay in Singapore beyond the initial approved period on medical grounds?
Yes, Raffles International Patients Centre will assist you with your request.
Do I need to pay for the extension of social pass ?
Yes. The fee chargeable will be ascertained by ICA upon submission of each application.
My family member wishes to be evacuated and admitted directly into Raffles Hospital. What shall I do?
Please contact Raffles International Patients Centre hotline at +65 6311 1666
Could you recommend/make booking for accommodation around Raffles Hospital?
Raffles International Patients Centre is able to recommend hotel accommodation and assist in booking of hotels and service apartments. You are required to provide credit card details to secure booking.
How do I travel from Changi Airport to Raffles Hospital
Raffles Hospital is easily accessible by public transport (eg. Mass Rapid Transit system) and taxis, which are readily available at the airport.
Upon request, arrangements for airport transfer could be made by taxi or ambulance, if required.
Charges, Payments, Goods and Services Tax
Will the charges be higher if I am a foreign patient?
No, Raffles Hospital does not practise differential charging for local and international patients.
What kind of payment mode do you accept?
We accept cash, and most of the major credit cards, NETS and letters of guarantee from contracted insurance partners.
Will I be advised on the estimated costs of surgery prior to my surgery?
Upon consultation with the doctor, a detailed financial counselling with be conducted prior to your planned surgery.
Will I be entitled for Goods and Services Tax (GST) Refund for my hospital bills ?
Raffles Hospital is able to assist you with GST refund process. You must:
- Not be a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident, Student Pass holders or Employment Pass holders of Singapore*
be 16 years of age or above at the time of purchase - Make minimum purchase of SGD100 on unconsumed Medication, Medical
- Supplies and Medical Consumables in Raffles Hospital
- The unconsumed goods out of Singapore within 2 months from date of purchase
I have bought travel insurance and medical insurance policies. Will my surgery expenses be covered by these policies?
Please check with your insurance company to confirm the coverage and extent of coverage for your surgery. This is because the coverage and extent of coverage differs amongst travel/ medical insurance policies.
My insurance company has confirmed coverage for my surgery expenses. What should I do now?
Please obtain a letter of guarantee from your insurance company. If your insurance company is one of whom Raffles Hospital has a direct billing arrangement with, please present the letter of guarantee prior to or during your hospital admission procedure. You may wish to refer to the list of insurance companies with direct-billing-services with us. You may still be required to pay a part of the bill which includes but not limited to co-payments, deductibles, and non-payables. If your insurance company is yet to have a direct billing arrangement with Raffles Hospital, the extension of cashless arrangement will be reviewed on a case by case basis upon receipt of the letter of guarantee. You may be required to make payments for the surgery first then claim from your insurance company.
Do you provide any money changer services ?
We are able to arrange for the money changer to meet you for currency exchange.
Consultation
I am unable to speak fluent English. How can I communicate with your doctor?
A team of staff who are native speakers of Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesian, Malay, Russian, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Myanmar, Khmer, Korean, Bengali, Arabic and Japanese are available to assist international patients when they are in Raffles Hospital.
I need to leave Singapore on the following day, but the result is still not ready. What should I do?
We could arrange for outstanding results to be sent to you via email or registered mail
I wish to place an order for repeat medication as prescribed earlier by my doctor at Raffles Specialist Centre. How shall I proceed from here?
You may contact Raffles International Patients Centre at enquiries@raffleshospital.com with your details. If you are not in Singapore to collect the medication, you may authorise another person to do so on your behalf.
Contact Raffles Hospital
Make an enquiry if you require more information.
Our staff will get back to you within 2 working days.