Switch to Higher Ward Type

All SGH patients can request to switch to a higher ward type during their inpatient stay, subject to bed availability and the following:

• All charges (except daily standard ward fees) incurred will be recomputed and retroactively charged a higher ward type rate from date of your admission.
• For upgrade to B1 or A wards, a deposit based on your estimated bill has to be paid within 24 hours from the date of the application.　The revised estimated hospital charges and ward fees for inpatient services will be given to you.

Subsidised rate - Subsidised patients will receive team-based care led by an assigned doctor. Your attending doctor may or may not be the same at each visit. 

Private rate - Private patients will receive team-based care led by their choice of doctor. Patients will be charged at full rates.

 Apply to switch to higher ward type >

Switching to Higher Ward Type

How much more do I have to pay?

 Mr Teo experienced breathlessness and was admitted after seeking treatment at A&E. He chose C 8-bedded ward but after 1 day’s stay, he wanted to switch to B1 4-bedded ward

The billing officer explained that:

• His hospital bill would be charged at the higher B1 rate from the day of admission, not the day of transfer to the B1 ward.
• He could use his Medisave and his insurance plan (if any) to cover part of his hospitalization bill. 
• A deposit is required for B1 ward. To effect his transfer, he has to pay the deposit within 24 hours which can be easily done through e-payment.
• For his follow-up outpatient appointments after discharge, he can choose again whether he wants to enjoy subsidy or pay full rates as a private patient.
• If he opts for subsidized outpatient care, he will be treated by a team led by a doctor assigned by the hospital. He will also enjoy more subsidy if he has CHAS card or Pioneer/Generation status.
• If he opts for private outpatient care, he will be treated by a team led by a doctor of his choice.

After considering the implications on his inpatient bill and the deposit required for B1 bed, Mr Teo decided to upgrade to B2 6-bedded ward instead of B1 ward. He also understood that in a B2 ward, he will receive team-based care led by a doctor assigned by the hospital. 

Mr Teo waited for 2 more days before a B2 bed was available for his transfer.

What if I want to choose the doctor who cares for me?

Mr. Lim was admitted to a B2 6-bedded ward for 3 daysfter knowing that he was scheduled for surgery, his wife recommended a particular surgeon.

The billing officer advised that:

• If he wishes to choose a specific doctor to be his primary doctor, Mr Lim must be in the private ward, ie A single bed or B1 4 bedder type which is more costly.
• In the private ward, he will receive team-based care led by the doctor of his choice.
• The higher rates for his hospital stay will apply from the day of his admission, not the day of transfer to the private ward.
• For his subsequent outpatient consultations, he can choose again whether he wants to enjoy subsidy or pay full rates as a private patient.
• If he opts for subsidized outpatient care, he will be treated by a team led by a doctor assigned by the hospital. He will also enjoy more subsidy if he has CHAS card or Pioneer/Generation status.
• If he opts for private outpatient care, he will be treated by a team led by a doctor of his choice.

After understanding the implications, Mr Lim decided to switch to an A Single Bed ward. He paid a deposit online for the estimated bill, inclusive of the surgery and two-week stay after surgery. However, after paying the deposit, there was no bed available in the A ward. Mr Lim waited for 2 more days before he was transferred to A Single Bed ward.

*Table below is based on an estimated 3 days hospitalization.

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