Medical costs for your domestic helper are your responsibility as an employer. MOM requires you to bear the cost of medical treatment, and your mandatory medical insurance covers hospitalization — but most day-to-day expenses come out of your pocket.

This guide breaks down what to expect, from routine GP visits to the dental bills that catch employers off guard.

Routine Medical Costs

GP (General Practitioner) visits

For common illnesses — fever, cold, stomach problems, minor injuries:

  • Polyclinic (government): S$45–70 per visit (helpers pay non-resident rates — no citizen subsidy)
  • Private GP (HDB clinic): S$30–60 per visit
  • Private GP (condo/city area): S$50–100 per visit

Note: helpers don't qualify for subsidised polyclinic rates, so a neighbourhood private GP is often just as affordable with shorter waits For non-urgent issues, they're the most cost-effective option.

6-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME)

Required by MOM every 6 months. Cost: S$30–60 at most clinics. This is mandatory and non-negotiable.

Common medications

Over-the-counter medication for your helper (pain relief, cold medicine, antacids) is an employer expense. Budget S$10–20 per month for basics.

Dental Costs (The Big Surprise)

Dental issues are the most common unexpected medical expense for employers. Many helpers, especially from Myanmar, arrive with significant untreated dental problems.

Common dental costs

Procedure Cost range
Basic checkup + cleaning S$50–100
Simple filling S$80–150
Simple extraction (non-surgical) S$80–150
Wisdom tooth extraction (simple) S$150–300
Wisdom tooth extraction (surgical/impacted) S$800–2,000+
Root canal S$500–1,000
Crown S$600–1,200

Where to go for affordable dental

  • Polyclinic dental: Cheapest option but very long wait times (weeks to months for non-emergency)
  • HDB dental clinics: More affordable than city clinics, typically S$80–150 for basic procedures
  • NUH/SGH dental: Government hospital rates, good for complex procedures

The impacted wisdom tooth problem

Impacted wisdom teeth requiring surgical extraction are extremely common and extremely expensive. Specialist oral surgery starts at S$800 and can exceed S$2,000 for complex cases.

If your helper has impacted wisdom teeth that aren't causing immediate problems, discuss the timing carefully. Some employers choose to wait until the helper's next home leave to have the procedure done in her home country at a fraction of the cost.

The "dental tourism" option

For non-urgent but expensive procedures, some employers send helpers to Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia, where dental costs are 50–70% lower. A surgical wisdom tooth extraction that costs S$1,500 in Singapore might cost RM800–1,200 (S$250–400) in JB.

Considerations:

  • Your helper needs a valid passport and may need a Malaysian visa
  • Quality varies significantly between clinics — research carefully
  • Post-procedure follow-up may be needed back in Singapore
  • Travel time and logistics add complexity

What Insurance Covers

Your mandatory medical insurance (minimum S$60,000/year claim limit, required since July 2023) covers:

  • Inpatient hospitalization
  • Day surgery
  • Some emergency treatments It does NOT typically cover:
  • Outpatient GP visits
  • Dental work
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Routine medication Check your specific policy for coverage details. Some comprehensive plans do include limited outpatient coverage.

Preventing Surprise Medical Costs

Check dental health during interviews

Several experienced employers now ask about dental health during interviews and visually check for obvious dental issues. This isn't invasive — it's practical. A helper who arrives with multiple dental problems will need expensive treatment on your budget.

Address health issues early

A small cavity that costs S$100 to fill today becomes a root canal costing S$800 in six months. Encourage your helper to report dental pain early rather than waiting until it becomes an emergency.

Keep records

Track all medical expenses with dates, clinics, and amounts. This helps with insurance claims and provides documentation if disputes arise later.

How HelperMate Helps

HelperMate tracks medical expenses alongside other household costs:

Medical costs and insurance coverage vary. Always check with your insurance provider. For MOM medical requirements, visit the official MOM website. This article is for informational purposes only.