• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • Ultimate Performance SingaporeBest gyms & fitness studios for getting fit
        • Dairy FlatsWhat’s like living in Dairy Farm Heights?
        • Invictus International School singaporeA Change in Curriculum at Invictus
        • Anne Trads Juel SauerbergProfile: Anne Trads Juel Sauerberg
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • image of Forest adventure grand course for things to do with kids in SingaporeFun Things To Do In Singapore
        • Billie Eilish Happier Than EverWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • looking for clues treasure hunt time heistWin big in the Civic District treasure hunt
        • Shamelss podcastWhat we are listening to: Great podcasts, Music and more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • image of Forest adventure grand course for things to do with kids in SingaporeFun Things To Do In Singapore
        • Little Artists Arty Party kid's birthday party ideasBest children’s party venues in Singapore
        • Invictus International School singaporeA Change in Curriculum at Invictus
        • kids dentistTips from orthodontists & kids’ dentists in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Table wareFabulous dinnerware, tableware and crockery!
        • B55Fab furniture, home decor & art galleries in one spot!
        • kids beds and children's roomsKids’ furniture that’s quality, fun and cool
        • Danish Design's designer furniture piecesDreamy designer furniture pieces!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • CrusieA Singapore cruise with skydiving, a wave machine & fab food!
        • vietnam 1Everything you need to know about Vietnam!
        • Cruise in SingaporeVisit 3 destinations in 5 days on this exciting cruise
        • Brisbane KangarooWhy and where to buy property in Brisbane
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Le-Bar-SofitelWhere to go for the best high tea in Singapore
        • The StoreLatest bars in Singapore: New drinking spots!
        • weber singapore duxtonBecome a guru at the Grill Academy Weber Singapore
        • Keyaki best restaurants in singaporeBest Restaurants in Singapore – Where to eat for foodies!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • urban CompanyNail salons in Singapore we’ve tried & tested!
        • hyper PigmentationTypes of pigmentation, removal & treatment
        • eye treatmentsOur guide to popular eye treatments
        • SkincareBest products for a fuss-free skincare routine
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • Ultimate Performance SingaporeBest gyms & fitness studios for getting fit
        • kids dentistTips from orthodontists & kids’ dentists in Singapore
        • pilates 40sFitness after forty at FitNut Loft!
        • AcupunctureComplementary & Alternative Medicine in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close

Travelling with cancer: What to consider

18th March 2019 by Lindsay Yap 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/cancer-travel-insurance-pacific-prime-singapore/

Cancer rates are increasing worldwide – you probably know someone suffering from cancer or you may be a cancer patient or survivor yourself. The World Cancer Research Fund has reported that, in 2018 alone, there were 17,036,901 new cases of cancer reported globally. That said, being diagnosed doesn’t mean you can’t travel anymore. Indeed, sometimes travelling is required to receive a particular treatment abroad; at other times, a recently recovered patient might want to fulfil their dreams of seeing more of the world. We asked the team at Pacific Prime Singapore to tell us more about the all-important insurance options.

International Private Medical Insurance

International private medical insurance plans are able to cover you virtually anywhere in the world (US exclusions may apply). This means that if you develop any form of cancer during your current policy, costs related to cancer treatment will be covered up to the policy limit – whether you decide to seek treatment in Singapore or elsewhere.

Pacific Prime cancer patient
Thinking of travelling?

If you’re already diagnosed with cancer and are starting to look for insurance coverage, you’ll likely have a tough time finding one as your condition will be treated as pre-existing. It’ll probably be excluded from the plan or you’ll have to pay a heavy loading.

Some international health insurance plans allow you to have cancer treatment abroad. If you live in Singapore, where medical treatment is on the high side, your insurer might suggest that you go abroad for surgery or other necessary cancer treatments if they’re too expensive locally, and may even be willing to cover your travel costs.

Or, it might also be the case that your policy limit is shrinking fast and you don’t wish to pay anything out of your own pocket for cancer treatment – and you’ve found cheaper options elsewhere. With the right international private medical insurance plan, you can have the freedom to travel to another country for medical care.

How about travel insurance?

This will cover you for any medical emergencies, but you’ll notice that virtually all policies exclude pre-existing conditions, including any form of cancer. As travel policies are often short-term, their coverage limits are also quite low compared to international health insurance. They’ll likely not be sufficient to cover any major treatments and surgeries. International health insurance is therefore the best choice for expats.

Pacific Prime doctor and patient
Chat with your doctor before making any plans

Other things to consider: vaccinations, medication and doctors’ letters

Being a diagnosed cancer patient or someone in remission makes travelling a bit more tricky. Advanced planning is required because, depending on your destination, you might need certain vaccinations. Due to the nature of cancer treatment, you mightn’t be able to receive these immediately, leading to your trip getting postponed.

The first step of planning a trip is therefore consulting your doctor. If you’re still taking medication, you’ll need a special medical note stating the type of drugs you’re taking with you abroad and your specific type of cancer. You should also do some research as to whether the country you’re travelling to has rules against bringing in or transiting with the medication that you need. Just to be sure, consider bringing with you an additional signed prescription as a backup and only purchasing medication from licensed pharmacies overseas.

What insurance coverage should I get?

It’s recommended to get an international health insurance plan, as they offer the most comprehensive coverage and allow diagnosed patients to travel around the world for treatment. In addition to international health insurance, also consider getting critical illness insurance earlier on and before cancer strikes. Critical illness policies offer a lump sum cash payment in the event that the policyholder is diagnosed with a predetermined illness in the policy.

Written in collaboration with:
Pacific Prime Singapore
18 Cross Street, China Square Central, #14-05
6346 3781 |
pacificprime.sg


Read more in our
Health & Fitness section!

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
Does your child have these dental problems?

Lindsay Yap

Living in Singapore all her life, Lindsay loves finding out what's on and fun around town. Besides binge-watching sitcoms and pigging out on her favourite hawker food, she enjoys exploring new places and is constantly adding to her travel wish list!

Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.

By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.

Categories: Health & Fitness Medical Tags: Cancer International Private Medical Insurance Pacific Prime Singapore Travel

You May Also Like

Fitness after forty at FitNut Loft!

Dexafit Asia DEXA bone density scanner

How to get rid of visceral fats & check your bone density

UFIT sports camp singapore

Kids summer sports camp 2022 – there’s heaps to do!

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2022 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.