One of the things couples always have in mind when it comes to starting a new family (or adding a new one) is how much it will cost? It is Singapore after all and money is always the next thing to factor in to every life milestone; from owning a house, having a baby, going to school, etc.
Firstly, why did I choose Kadang Kerbau Hospital (KKH) and not other hospitals?
Well, generally because KKH is just a go-to hospital for deliveries and if there's any complications, KKH has always been the best hospital to be in. I am not young after all and I rather be safe than sorry. On top of that, I can get subsidies through government hospitals.
People said waiting time for private hospitals are faster compared to government hospitals but I think it's fine. My shortest consultation inclusive of waiting time, compulsory urine test is about 1 hour which is standard to me. The longest was when I had to take the gestational test which took us 3+hours because I had to give my blood every hour for 2 hours and that includes consultation and waiting time.
Subsidized Consultation Vs Private Consultation
Both has it's legit pros & cons so it really boils down to your priorities.
Subsidized consultations can cut down your bill by A LOT (you will see later below) but you will get random doctors to see you almost every single time.
I had my pre-natal consultations under subsidized. I didn't have any problems seeing different doctors every single time and plus, sometimes you get a fresh perspective. With that said, Alhamdulillah, my pregnancy was a smooth and low risk so it's not an issue to even have a student doctor.
As for private consultations, you have to pay full but you get doctor of your choice. You want the chill and funny one? The serious and experienced one? Seeing the same doctor also bring rapport and confidence in your pregnancy. For me, it's not a priority as long as the doctor knows what he/she is doing. With that said, if you have complications in your pregnancy, I strongly suggest get under private consultation.
P/S: After my private delivery, I was assigned to private check ups with my doctor who delivered my baby. No doubt, the athmosphere was 180 degrees different from the standard clinics. There were no plastic chairs that we've grown accustomed to but sofas all around. There're free flow of coffee & milo too to a point the auntie in me surfaced. Haha
My Pre-Natal Bill
Note that every pregnancy is different. Some ladies may need more appointments, medication, tests or scans while others lesser. I think mine is some where in the middle because I did had extra ultrasounds to check my breech baby.
Number of consultations: 12
Number of tests/ scan (not inc. urine tests): 2 (Blood tests for diseases & GTT test)
Number of ultrasounds (inc. NT Scan): 6
Number of medications: 3 (Folic Acid, Obimin & halfway, Sangobion)
I have a detailed consolidated list of my bills but let's make it easy okay?
Grand total of the above without any subsidies: S$2,441.64
Grand total after subsidies: S$1,122.99
Side note: I had a 100% subsidy on my anatomy scan for doing a survey and a visit to Labour & Delivery because I felt extreme dizziness when I was 5 months pregnant.
I had saved about 46% off my bill! Remember that the subsidized amount is derived by the government. I don't know how they count it but it's definitely depends on your income. I'm not working so perhaps I get 46% off the bill but as a reference, my working friend had about 40-45% off her bill which is still a good cut!
Subsidized Delivery Vs Private Delivery
Under subsidized delivery, again, you cannot choose your doctor but know that you will be in the hands of wonderful and experienced mid-wives and nurses. You can only stay in Wards C, B2 or B2+. You can save plenty of money here too as some couples said they don't even have to top-up much or none at all after their pre-admission deposit.
For private delivery, you can stay in Wards B1 or A1 with the doctor of your choice. Jhon and I wanted Ward A1 because you have the room & toilet all by ourselves which means ultimate privacy. Jhon also can sleep next to me in the sofa unlike the other wards. Yes, it would costs us more but after much deliberation and checking our finances, we are okay with it. It was the best decision we ever made because we were stressed from sleep deprivation. We definitely don't need strangers and other newborns fussing nearby.
We requested too late for a private doctor so we got any doctor in-charge on the day I was admitted who was Dr Alexandira See Tze Ann along with my subsidized doctor-in-charge, Dr Freda Khoo. Dr Alex was proffessional and kind so I knew I was in good hands.
Read my delivery story here.
In terms of price, there is no doubt how much of a difference it can be. I do not have the table for subsidized delivery but it can be as low as $2,000 (Ward C, for c-section before medisave) and for A1, up to $10,000 before medisave in total. You may check MOH's website for estimated costs from all hospitals in Singapore for natural and caesarean delivery.
As mentioned before, Jhon and I had done our pre-admission and had paid $3,990 for likely estimated hospital bill after medisave deduction of $4,400. In any event, if there are complications, additional days, extra consumables or medications were needed, it will be billed later after discharged.
We received the bill about 2 weeks after discharged.
Note that baby also has his/her own bill but can also be deducted by medisave.
For those who are financially worry warts like me, here's my total bill summary as of August 2017.
Mommy's Bill
A1 Ward - Caesarean - 4 Days stay
(I had an extra day because first day counted as operating day - Baby born on 1:48am)
Total Delivery Charges inc. 7% GST: $9,204.69
Total Antenal Claim (pre-delivery charges) : $1,122.99
Grand Total: $10,327.68
Medisave Claimable inc. $900 antenal: -$4,850.00
Adjustment (I don't know the reason of this random adjustment): -$1,122.99
Grand Total: -$5,972.99
Therefore our actual grand total payable amount:
$10,327.68 - $5,972.99 = $4,354.69
Since we had deposited during pre-admission of $4,000 when we received our final bill, we only had to pay $354.69.
Baby's Bill
A1 Ward - 3 Days stay
Grand Total Charges inc. 7% GST: $1,363.28
Medisave Claimable: -$1,346.16
Therefore our actual grand total payable amount:
$1,363.28- $1,346.16= $17.12
And that's how much we paid for our pre-natal & cesarean delivery at KKH.
Again, note that not all bills are the same so use this just as an estimate or gauge.
Firstly, why did I choose Kadang Kerbau Hospital (KKH) and not other hospitals?
Well, generally because KKH is just a go-to hospital for deliveries and if there's any complications, KKH has always been the best hospital to be in. I am not young after all and I rather be safe than sorry. On top of that, I can get subsidies through government hospitals.
People said waiting time for private hospitals are faster compared to government hospitals but I think it's fine. My shortest consultation inclusive of waiting time, compulsory urine test is about 1 hour which is standard to me. The longest was when I had to take the gestational test which took us 3+hours because I had to give my blood every hour for 2 hours and that includes consultation and waiting time.
Subsidized Consultation Vs Private Consultation
Both has it's legit pros & cons so it really boils down to your priorities.
Subsidized consultations can cut down your bill by A LOT (you will see later below) but you will get random doctors to see you almost every single time.
I had my pre-natal consultations under subsidized. I didn't have any problems seeing different doctors every single time and plus, sometimes you get a fresh perspective. With that said, Alhamdulillah, my pregnancy was a smooth and low risk so it's not an issue to even have a student doctor.
As for private consultations, you have to pay full but you get doctor of your choice. You want the chill and funny one? The serious and experienced one? Seeing the same doctor also bring rapport and confidence in your pregnancy. For me, it's not a priority as long as the doctor knows what he/she is doing. With that said, if you have complications in your pregnancy, I strongly suggest get under private consultation.
P/S: After my private delivery, I was assigned to private check ups with my doctor who delivered my baby. No doubt, the athmosphere was 180 degrees different from the standard clinics. There were no plastic chairs that we've grown accustomed to but sofas all around. There're free flow of coffee & milo too to a point the auntie in me surfaced. Haha
My Pre-Natal Bill
Note that every pregnancy is different. Some ladies may need more appointments, medication, tests or scans while others lesser. I think mine is some where in the middle because I did had extra ultrasounds to check my breech baby.
Number of consultations: 12
Number of tests/ scan (not inc. urine tests): 2 (Blood tests for diseases & GTT test)
Number of ultrasounds (inc. NT Scan): 6
Number of medications: 3 (Folic Acid, Obimin & halfway, Sangobion)
I have a detailed consolidated list of my bills but let's make it easy okay?
Grand total of the above without any subsidies: S$2,441.64
Grand total after subsidies: S$1,122.99
Side note: I had a 100% subsidy on my anatomy scan for doing a survey and a visit to Labour & Delivery because I felt extreme dizziness when I was 5 months pregnant.
I had saved about 46% off my bill! Remember that the subsidized amount is derived by the government. I don't know how they count it but it's definitely depends on your income. I'm not working so perhaps I get 46% off the bill but as a reference, my working friend had about 40-45% off her bill which is still a good cut!
Subsidized Delivery Vs Private Delivery
Under subsidized delivery, again, you cannot choose your doctor but know that you will be in the hands of wonderful and experienced mid-wives and nurses. You can only stay in Wards C, B2 or B2+. You can save plenty of money here too as some couples said they don't even have to top-up much or none at all after their pre-admission deposit.
For private delivery, you can stay in Wards B1 or A1 with the doctor of your choice. Jhon and I wanted Ward A1 because you have the room & toilet all by ourselves which means ultimate privacy. Jhon also can sleep next to me in the sofa unlike the other wards. Yes, it would costs us more but after much deliberation and checking our finances, we are okay with it. It was the best decision we ever made because we were stressed from sleep deprivation. We definitely don't need strangers and other newborns fussing nearby.
We requested too late for a private doctor so we got any doctor in-charge on the day I was admitted who was Dr Alexandira See Tze Ann along with my subsidized doctor-in-charge, Dr Freda Khoo. Dr Alex was proffessional and kind so I knew I was in good hands.
Read my delivery story here.
In terms of price, there is no doubt how much of a difference it can be. I do not have the table for subsidized delivery but it can be as low as $2,000 (Ward C, for c-section before medisave) and for A1, up to $10,000 before medisave in total. You may check MOH's website for estimated costs from all hospitals in Singapore for natural and caesarean delivery.
As mentioned before, Jhon and I had done our pre-admission and had paid $3,990 for likely estimated hospital bill after medisave deduction of $4,400. In any event, if there are complications, additional days, extra consumables or medications were needed, it will be billed later after discharged.
We received the bill about 2 weeks after discharged.
Note that baby also has his/her own bill but can also be deducted by medisave.
For those who are financially worry warts like me, here's my total bill summary as of August 2017.
Mommy's Bill
A1 Ward - Caesarean - 4 Days stay
(I had an extra day because first day counted as operating day - Baby born on 1:48am)
Total Delivery Charges inc. 7% GST: $9,204.69
Total Antenal Claim (pre-delivery charges) : $1,122.99
Grand Total: $10,327.68
Medisave Claimable inc. $900 antenal: -$4,850.00
Adjustment (I don't know the reason of this random adjustment): -$1,122.99
Grand Total: -$5,972.99
Therefore our actual grand total payable amount:
$10,327.68 - $5,972.99 = $4,354.69
Since we had deposited during pre-admission of $4,000 when we received our final bill, we only had to pay $354.69.
Baby's Bill
A1 Ward - 3 Days stay
Grand Total Charges inc. 7% GST: $1,363.28
Medisave Claimable: -$1,346.16
Therefore our actual grand total payable amount:
$1,363.28- $1,346.16= $17.12
And that's how much we paid for our pre-natal & cesarean delivery at KKH.
Again, note that not all bills are the same so use this just as an estimate or gauge.
hi, did you have any insurance plan that covers the costs?
ReplyDeleteHi. I didnt have any pregnancy insurance. =)
DeleteHi, how late were you at choosing your preferred doctor when you said you were too late? Im giving birth in about 2 months, is it too late to choose private specialist for delivery
ReplyDeleteI was at 37 weeks when I requested and my elective c-sect was at 39 weeks. Couldn't get an appointment for a consultation with the doctor by then.
Deletethank you so much for sharing. helps alot in deciding which route to go. you have a gorgeous baby btw~
ReplyDeleteThank you hehe and glad I could help.
DeleteHi, thank you so much for this. It is really helpful. How much is the Doctor's delivery fee when you delivered?
ReplyDeleteOurs was about $1k+++
DeleteHi, may i know your husband was stayed with you during c-section delivery in KKH?
ReplyDeleteBecause it was an emergency c-section, he was not able to join me in the operation theater.
DeleteHi Zzanyy, did u mean during ur regular consultations u choose the subsidies one then ard 37th week of pregnancy u oppt for private?
ReplyDeleteI had subsided consultations and then a delivery under private.
DeleteI applied for private a bit too late so I couldn't choose a doctor so I suggest you make the changes before than 36th week so you can have a sit down with a new doctor.
Hi Zzanyy,
ReplyDeleteWhy did you decide to switch to private?
It was mostly we wanted a room for ourselves for privacy and also for my husband to sleep over. It was the best decision we ever met!
DeleteHi understand that yours was emergency C-section. From KKH website, you have to pay $3990 for caeser. If you were going for normal during delivery why pay $3990.00 as upfront, i will be delivering in KKH so just wanted to know the amount i have to pay. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy delivery was stated as emergency C-section but we already know and expected to be a c-section due to my baby's breech position. That is why we confidently placed a deposit for a C-section.
DeleteIn a normal situation, mothers would just pay a deposit for a normal delivery and any additional charges after the delivery will be paid afterwards.
Hi dear, do you think there’s a big cost difference if I were to choose subsidised then private VS private all the way with KK?
ReplyDeleteI’m still researching and wanna gather more feedback. Thank u!
Hi. Without a doubt, there is a big cost difference due to the doctor's consultation fees.
DeleteHi dear.. when do we need to pay for the admission the 3k plus as you mentioned?
ReplyDeleteI paid when I was at 37 weeks pregnant. You could also ask the admission office on the first floor for more enquiry.
DeleteHi, thank you for sharing. I'm good now at 35weeks and still considering to opt for a room for ourselves considering the amount that we need to pay after reading what you have share especially on the amount need to pay now full of confidence into choosing it.
ReplyDeleteThat is great to know! Here is wishing you to have a smooth delivery and good recovery!
DeleteHi just wondering for your emergency csect, were u on GA or epidural (half body)? If its epidural, do u have to top up for your anaesthetist fee ?
ReplyDeleteI add epidural and I didn't had to top up additional.
Delete