What if I turn into a zombie?
What if I turn into a zombie in Singapore: $3,072 – $12,107 in a subsidised ward (Ward C), based on MOH Bill Size Benchmarks. Average hospital stay: 24.1 days.
Hospital bill by ward class
- Ward C (Subsidised · 8-9 beds): $3,072 – $12,107
- Ward B2 (Subsidised · 6 beds): $3,607 – $13,681
- Ward B1 (Non-subsidised): $9,327 – $40,601
- Private (Single room): $18,247 – $64,428
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, January–December 2023. Costs are after government subsidies but before MediShield Life or private insurance.
Scroll
What if I turn into a zombie?
2:13 AM
You wake up craving something. Not mee pok. Not char kway teow.
Something is very wrong with your brain.
Something is very wrong with your brain.
Your neighbour calls 995 after you try to eat their letterbox. The paramedics are not surprised.
48
hours before the fever breaks and you stop growling
Neurological ward. Lots of tests. A very patient doctor.
Severe infection with neurological involvement — IV antibiotics, antiviral therapy, and close monitoring for encephalitis.
Singapore has seen zombie ant fungi. Humans are next. (Probably not.)
You recover. You apologise to the letterbox.
Then the bill arrives.
Then the bill arrives.
Your hospital bill
$0
Ward C (subsidised) · worst case · after subsidies, before insurance
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, Jan–Dec 2023
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, Jan–Dec 2023
But what does this actually mean for your wallet?
The bottom line
For this scenario, you need at least
$12,107
in cash. That's after government subsidies but before any insurance kicks in.
Your ward, your bill
Subsidised · 8-9 beds · After subsidies, before insurance
~7 months
of HDB mortgage
~39%
of avg Medisave
~2.4 months
of median salary
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks · Data period: Jan–Dec 2023 · Compiled by Keith Teo
Make it personal
What does this mean for you?
Enter your details for personalised insights. Nothing is stored or sent.
$
Ward class matters
Where you stay changes everything
Same condition. The ward determines the bill.
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, Jan–Dec 2023
Ward C · Subsidised · 8-9 beds
$3,072 – $12,107
Ward B2 · Subsidised · 6 beds
$3,607 – $13,681
Ward B1 · Non-subsidised
$9,327 – $40,601
No more subsidies below
Private · Single room
$18,247 – $64,428
up to 5x Ward C
Insurance impact
What insurance actually does
Ward C bill. The bar shows how much you still pay.
$3,072 – $12,107
No insurance. You pay the full bill out of pocket or Medisave.
Good to know
Average Medisave balance ($31,000) covers this 3x in Ward C
Surviving a zombie bite in Singapore: Ward C bill from $800 onwards. MediSave claimable btw. The undead don't issue MC though.
Beyond the hospital bill
These costs are just the hospital stay
After discharge, expect ongoing costs that for many patients exceed the initial bill.
Follow-up visitsPain medicationTime off workPhysiotherapyThe story you tell forever
And these costs keep rising. Healthcare costs are up 12% since 2020, outpacing general inflation.
What to do now
5 things to check today
1
Keep your emergency contacts updated
Make sure your phone ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts are current. First responders check this.
2
Know your nearest A&E
In an emergency, ambulance (995) takes you to the nearest hospital. Know which public hospital is closest to your home and workplace.
3
Check what your insurance actually covers
Log into CPF, go to My Healthcare, check MediShield Life or ISP coverage. Look for your ward class limit and claim caps.
4
Know your Medisave withdrawal limits
Your Medisave balance doesn't mean that amount is available for one bill. There are per-day and per-procedure caps.
5
Write a will and make a CPF nomination
A simple will starts from S$99. CPF nomination is free at cpf.gov.sg. Without these, your family faces months of legal process and S$10K+ in fees.