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Going for our annual health screenings is one of those things that has a regular slot in our calendar.
If you’ve got a health insurance plan that offers a free annual health screening, that’s a huge plus. Comprehensive tests involving lab work and time can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand bucks.
For the rest of us, we might not be going for regular health screenings yet. That’s a big mistake, as going for regular screening can not only save you from serious health complications but also can save you money in the long run.
If you’re confused with all the health screening packages available right now or the various tiers, at the end of the article we’ll show you how to better choose one for your needs.
Here are some reasons you should make regular health screenings a part of your life.
Regular health screenings can flag potential issues
Some of the most insidious chronic medical conditions can start out innocently enough. For instance, prediabetes is usually symptomless, and without screening could go undetected until it develops into full-blown diabetes.
Regular health screenings can detect critical conditions earlier so you can reverse them before they turn into more serious, irreversible conditions.
Blood pressure and blood sugar are just some examples of metrics that might still be within the normal range but close to borderline or pre-condition levels.
Did you know that 1 in 15 Singaporeans aged 18 to 74 years had diabetes in 2019? There are about 3.5 million Singapore citizens (as of June 2021), so that’s significant. The mean annual direct medical cost of type 2 diabetes in Singapore is $2,034. So, by staving off diabetes before it’s too late, you’re not only doing your health a favour, but you’re also saving yourself that much per year (trip to Japan, anyone?).
Regular health screenings can detect critical conditions earlier
Health screenings can detect critical conditions earlier before they evolve to a more serious stage.
For instance, health screenings can pick up occult blood in the stool. The presence of occult blood could indicate colorectal cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum — and usually the amount of occult blood in the stool is so little that only a specialised test can pick it up (i.e. it is not visible).
An average of one in four people may be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. A single session of chemotherapy could cost anywhere from $59 (subsidised) to over $7,000 (unsubsidised, in a private hospital). That could be ruinous on the wallets for those without hospitalisation insurance.
If you manage to nip the cancer during the early stages, you have a greater chance of it going into remission. In general, recovery from early stage cancers is quicker and one can have a better quality of life, versus later stage cancers that have spread to other parts of the body and may require significant/long treatment and recovery and more invasive procedures.
Avoid passing on the costs of insurance to others
The more it costs an insurer to provide insurance to customers, the higher insurance premiums climb. Factors that contribute to a rise in the operating cost of insurance include more insurance claims being made and higher medical fees.
If we all stayed in the pink of health for as long as possible and managed to pay less for our treatments by reducing the number of major conditions we suffer from, insurance costs would remain low for a longer time.
For instance, Singapore’s private health insurance premiums are rising due to factors like more people seeking treatment after the initial Covid-19 outbreak, longer lives and the advent of telemedicine.
While demographic factors are not within our control, ensuring that we stay healthy for longer is, and health screening can help us with precisely that. Everyone benefits — ourselves, fellow insurance policyholders, your family members (no need to tap your children’s Medisave) and even society at large.
But how do I select a suitable health screening package?
While you should of course choose a health screening package you can afford, it’s not a good idea to look at cost alone or choose the cheapest package. So, how do you know what you need? You should think about your age, gender, family, personal medical history, lifestyle, and other factors in order to determine what your needs are.
Many may feel that the price of a comprehensive health check is expensive and not necessary, however, the cost of delayed detection may potentially be higher. Not only in monetary terms, but also in terms of quality of life. If the conditions worsen and are kept unchecked, the cost of treatment may potentially cost more than the health screening.
Minmed provides 3 different modes of health screening, designed with your needs and convenience in mind.
To choose the right package, you can approach a screening service provider such as Minmed that can point you in the right direction. Minmed is a healthcare service provider that provides health screening, GP services, fitness, nutrition, and Covid-19 testing, amongst other things. If you recall, they also aided Singapore in its fight against Covid-19 by running many of the vaccination centres islandwide.
There is no one-size-fits-all package for everyone, therefore it is important that you choose one that is suitable for your needs, through consultation with a medical professional.
Minmed offers a comprehensive range of health screening packages, tailored to cater to each individual’s needs. Here’s a rundown of the packages:
- Executive Health Screening — Have your comprehensive screening and imaging studies done at their flagship screening centre at Orchard, Paragon
- Classic Health Screening — Complete your screening in 45 minutes at any Minmed Clinic islandwide. This is a fuss-free service for busy individuals
- Homebased Health Screening — Prefer not to travel? You can now get screened in the comfort of your home with your family members
The best part — you can skip the fasting routine with Minmed’s non-fasting screening options!
Minmed is a tech-forward company that strives to provide you with a seamless screening experience.
You can access your screening report within one working day, teleconsult their doctors and receive follow-up care — all via the Minmed Connect app.
That’s just what we need for greater convenience in these busy times.
Do your health a favour and make sure you go for regular screenings. Don’t delay, book your health screening session with Minmed today.