Singapore has made significant progress in recent years towards supporting mental health services and making treatment more affordable and accessible. However, mental health care is generally not free in Singapore except for lower income individuals.
Overview of Mental Health Care System
The mental health care system in Singapore consists of both public and private providers:
- Public Sector – Public hospitals and polyclinics provide subsidized mental health services based on means-testing.
- Private Sector – Private psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors provide mental health treatment for fees that are generally not subsidized.
There are also voluntary welfare organizations that offer some mental health services.
Is Mental Health Treatment Free?
In general, mental health treatment from private providers is not free in Singapore, and fees need to be paid out-of-pocket.
However, at public hospitals and polyclinics, lower to middle income Singapore citizens and PRs can get partially or fully subsidized care and medications:
| Subsidy Level | Citizen Income Threshold | PR Income Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 75% subsidy | Per capita household income ≤$900 | Per capita household income ≤$1,100 |
| 50% subsidy | Per capita household income $901-$1,800 | Per capita household income $1,101-$1,800 |
Those without a subsidy card will have to pay non-subsidized rates.
Special Exceptions
Certain groups can qualify for free mental health treatment regardless of income level:
- Pioneers – Singaporeans aged 65 and above this year who obtained citizenship by 31 Dec 1986.
- Merdeka Generation – Singaporeans aged 60 to 74 this year who obtained citizenship by 31 Dec 1996.
These groups have access to special subsidies and schemes for chronic conditions including mental health under the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation packages.
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Affordability of Private Mental Healthcare
For those seeking private psychiatric help, prices can range widely depending on the professional’s credentials and experience. Some typical costs are:
- Psychiatrist Consultation – $250 – $500+ per session
- Psychologist Therapy – $150 – $300+ per session
- Counselor – $100 – $200+ per session
While the fees may be affordable for higher income individuals, the cost can be prohibitive for middle and lower income groups without insurance coverage.
Using Insurance
Many insurance plans in Singapore provide some coverage for outpatient mental health treatment:
- MediShield Life – Covers up to $160 per day for inpatient psychiatric treatment at public hospitals, up to 35 days per year. Outpatient treatments not covered.
- Integrated Shield Plans – Many full riders cover outpatient mental health treatment, with claim limits in the range of $1,000 to $3,000 per year.
For those with insurance, verifying coverage details beforehand will be important.
Financial Assistance Schemes
Besides government subsidies, there are also other financial assistance schemes Singaporeans can tap on to get help paying medical bills, including mental healthcare:
| Scheme | Eligibility | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Medifund | Singapore Citizens | Helps pay for medical expenses for those facing financial difficulties, including mental health. Amount awarded depends on individual/family financial situation. |
| Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) | Singapore Citizens from lower-middle income households <$2,400 per capita income | Up to 75% off medical and dental fees at participating General Practitioner and dental clinics |
In summary, while mental health treatment from public hospitals is subsidized for citizens and PRs based on income level, services from private providers generally have to be paid for out-of-pocket by the patient.
Using insurance and financial assistance schemes can help offset the cost for middle to lower-income individuals seeking private psychiatric help.
But for the most part, completely free mental healthcare is only available to Pioneers, Merdeka Generation seniors, and lower income citizens.
