OncoCare Cancer Centre

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INTERNATIONAL PATIENT TREATMENT

Caring for you and your loved ones away from home

THE ONCOCARE DIFFERENCE –

SERVING YOU WITH EXCELLENCE, COMPASSION & INTEGRITY

Caring for International Patients

Focused on the latest cancer treatments for cancer patients, OncoCare has established its clinics as leading centres for cancer treatments in Singapore and the region. Our medical oncologists, nurses and other support staff are able to converse in multiple Asian languages, and we combine the latest cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment protocols and equipment with personalised patient care.

When you choose OncoCare, you can trust that you’ll receive the highest quality of cancer care. Many of our patients come to us when they need a second opinion and specific assistance to treat invasive and advanced stages of cancer.

We understand that it can be challenging to be unwell in a different country. That’s why we’ve taken extra steps to ensure that international patients have access to their unique needs including medical translators, transportation, accommodation, and international insurance procedures.

Services for International Patients

Medical Translators

In caring for our international patients, we provide translators for the following languages:

 

  • Mandarin
  • Bahasa Indonesian
  • Vietnamese
  • Arabic
  • Tagalog
  • Burmese
  • Other regional languages

Visa Applications & Other Services

For patients from certain countries, a valid visa may be needed to enter Singapore.

For more information, please visit https://www.ica.gov.sg/visitor/visitor_entryvisa.

For other foreign languages, we will help you to engage suitable medical translators and inform you of the translation fee.

OncoCare International Patient Office assists all foreign patients who require medical visa application.

Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) website to check on the requirements.

If your treatment extends beyond your visit visa, our staff will assist you in extending your short-term visit pass 1 week before it expires.

Do note that you will need to present the following documents to extend your stay in Singapore:

  • Passport
  • Doctor’s letter
  • Application form for a visit pass (Form)
  • Application for extension of stay on medical ground (Form)

Transport Arrangements

There are many modes of transportation in Singapore.

To reduce hassle, all our clinics are located close to transport hubs and lifestyle amenities.

However, if you are unfamiliar with navigating Singapore’s bus or train systems, our staff can make specific private transport arrangements on your behalf.

Flight Arrangements

If your treatment takes longer than originally estimated, our staff can contact your airline and adjust your flight arrangements. We can also advise on the best approaches to handle transport to and from the airport.

Airport Transfer Services

To add to your convenience, our staff can arrange for you to be picked-up and dropped-off at the airport. If necessary, we can also provide wheelchair and other ambulatory assistance for patients.

Special Medical Arrangements

We offer a range of personalised medical services for international patients. Our team members will recommend the right medical oncologists or other medical specialists with experience in treating your condition.

We are also able to schedule medical appointments and make necessary arrangements such as examinations, follow-ups, ambulance services etc.

Accomodation Arrangements

Our staff can recommend and help you reserve a suitable serviced apartment or hotel room to ensure that your stay in Singapore is safe, convenient, and comfortable. All of our clinics and treatment facilities are located close to hotels and serviced apartments within walking distance.

Insurance Arrangements

For overseas patients, insurance plans may be critical in meeting the cost of oncology treatments. To make it convenient for you, we currently accept payments from the following international insurance plans:

Can’t find your insurance company listed above? Email us at enquiries@oncocare.sg    to find out how we can arrange payments through your international insurance plan.

Language, Diet & Religious Arrangments

Should you have special needs such as dietary, beverage or religious arrangements, do let our staff know and we will ensure that they are arranged appropriately.

We will also endeavour to communicate with you in the language that you are most comfortable with. Depending on your needs, our specialists or staff are able to converse in English, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hindi and Bahe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you arrive in Singapore

Do you accept walk in appointment?

Yes, but this is not a common practice. We encourage you to schedule an appointment so you can avoid waiting at our clinic.

How long should first time patients plan to stay in Singapore?

Plan to stay in Singapore for at least 5 days, with arrival on Sunday and departure on either Friday or Saturday. This will allow enough time to confirm your diagnosis and create a treatment plan. It’s recommended that you purchase flight tickets which allow the flexibility for last minute changes at minimum cost where possible.

Do I need a doctor's referral letter from my home country to schedule an appointment?

No, you do not need to carry a referral letter, however, We encourage you to bring all your existing medical reports, histology results, radiology scan in CD format preferably, and paraffin biopsy or resection tissue blocks if possible. This would help our doctors to establish a point of reference and save you the costs & time of redoing the investigations.

Are credit cards or charge cards commonly used in Singapore?

Yes, the most commonly used credit cards include Visa, Master, Amex, and JCB. We accept credit cards, bank transfers, or cash in Singapore Dollars.

How do I stay connected on mobile or broadband?

You can purchase a sim card at Changi Airport, or sign up for roaming services from your own home telco.

Can I get a tax refund for my treatment in Singapore?

As a medical tourist in Singapore you are entitled to claim a 7% refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as long as the purchase is more than S$100 (including GST).

For the medical services or medical drugs purchased in Singapore, you can not claim GST refund. If you bring back medicines or chemo drugs for consumption outside of Singapore, please notify our doctors or nurses for a GST refund.

Do ask our Patient Service Staff to assist you with the GST refund process before making payment.

During your stay in Singapore

What food items can I bring to Singapore?

For processed food, you can bring a maximum of 5kg or 5 litres, if the total value does not exceed S$100 per person. For seafood or meat, you can bring a maximum of 5kg from approved sources. For fruits and vegetables, small reasonable quantities are allowed.

How should I pack for Singapore Weather?

While our island is usually sunny and warm, please remember to bring an umbrella for the occasional rain. Also, pack light jackets or cardigans to keep yourself comfortable as hospitals maintain low temperatures to prevent infections.

Will I need an electric plug adaptor?

Yes, please bring an international electric plug adaptor with 3 pin plugs (UK) as shown below.

oncocare

How long will it take to schedule a surgery or a treatment after my consultation with the doctor?

It usually takes 1-3 days. However, depending on the complexity of the procedure it may take longer.

What should I do if I need to leave Singapore before I receive the results?

You can email us anytime or call our clinic to check on the results. If you leave your contact particulars with us, we will also communicate your medical results to you back in your home country.

After your stay in Singapore

Do your doctors accept reports or results from other hospitals in Singapore?

We accept and recognize reports from other hospitals in Singapore, so it will be useful for you to bring them to us. This will help to reduce the amount of time needed to accurately diagnose your condition.

Do I need to use Singapore Dollars?

Yes, patients are advised to use Singapore dollars or credit cards for the ease of payments.

Where can I exchange foreign currency to Singapore Dollars?

We can either arrange for the money changer to meet you or we can guide you to a licensed money changer shop that’s within walking distance from our clinic.

Are treatment charges higher for foreign patients?

No, we offer the same pricing policy regardless of nationality or payment mode.

How do I make payment arrangements if I'm a foreigner with an International insurance plan?

If you have an international insurance plan that covers you globally, you should contact your insurer to obtain information on your medical coverage. You will need a Letter of Guarantee or credit card arrangement with OncoCare for direct billing arrangements to be made with your insurer.

I'm an international patient who plans to self-pay. How can I find out more about medical costs for cancer treatment?

The costs related to treating patients with cancer can vary depending on the type of cancer and stage of cancer. This is usually discussed after our doctor meets the patient in Singapore to understand their health condition.

To find out more, please send medical reports to our appointment team at enquiries@oncocare.sg. We are able to share an estimated treatment cost, however, this should only be used as a reference, since each patient‘s condition is different.

In terms of payment, we accept Singapore Dollars, credit cards, and bank transfers.