Eight in 10 Singapore adults put off medical care, risking higher bills and financial strain: Report

IN her forties, Mandeline Yap ticked all the boxes on healthy living.

The engineer maintained a nutritious diet, exercised regularly and helped others in their fitness journey with her side hustle of organising Zumba events. She also did not have a family history of cancer.

But early last year, when she kept waking up at night to use the bathroom, she brushed it off as a urinary tract infection. Yet after taking medication prescribed by her general practitioner (GP), she did not feel better and developed a fever three days later.

The mother of two was suspected to have a bacterial infection and was warded for five days at a public hospital. Subsequent reviews and tests over the next few months revealed a large tumour in her rectum, which was confirmed to be cancerous.

“I was completely shocked when I heard the news. I felt very sad and kept asking myself, ‘Why me?’”

Recalls Yap: “I was sad, but my immediate thought was that I needed to act fast and solve the problem. The first thing I did was call Melvin to get his advice.”

She was referring to Melvin Mah, her Prudential financial representative of over 10 years, to seek his advice on the coverage from her PRUShield and PRUExtra policies.

PRUShield is an Integrated Shield Plan that complements MediShield Life, while PruExtra is a supplementary plan that enhances PRUShield to offer customers greater healthcare coverage.

Why 8 in 10 Singapore adults delay medical care

Yap sought treatment promptly, but a survey suggests most Singapore adults put off medical care. According to a Prudential-commissioned Patient Voices Singapore: Towards More Informed and Seamless Care report in 2025 which surveyed 1,024 adults in Singapore, eight in 10 respondents had delayed medical care to avoid burdening their families and missing work.

This is despite the access to a wide range of healthcare providers in Singapore, from publicly run polyclinics and private clinics to public and private hospitals. There are also public schemes like MediSave and MediShield Life, alongside private insurance and government subsidies to finance healthcare.

Reasons for delaying healthcare included feeling a sense of duty to work over self-care, concern about being a burden to family (financial or care needs), cost of healthcare, underplaying their symptoms or having had bad healthcare experiences in the past.

Sixty-one per cent of the respondents also felt they did not have the right information to make a decision on treatment and 60 per cent of them said they did not know where to seek help during a medical emergency.

Dr Sidharth Kachroo, chief health officer at Prudential Singapore, says this can escalate minor health conditions into larger health and financial burdens later.

For Yap, the confidence to seek advice and treatment early came from timely guidance by her financial representative, Mah, on where to access medical care.

Whenever she had more queries, the Prudential team would also respond to her emails in one to two days, expediting her treatment journey.

With Prudential’s Integrated Shield Plan and a rider, she had access to a range of private hospital options, including Raffles Medical Hospital, where she went for further treatment. Yap says having this safety net helped to reduce the financial burden and gave her the confidence to seek the necessary care without further delays.

Dr Kachroo points out that insurers, too, have a key role to play in ensuring policyholders receive affordable, high-quality care. For example, Prudential’s financial representatives are trained to guide policyholders in planning for their preferred type of care and understanding what is covered or paid out of pocket.

“Health crises can hit when we least expect it, so our goal is simple: provide patients in Singapore the confidence and certainty to seek the right healthcare when and where they need it most. If in doubt, call your financial representative for guidance.”

When your health is at stake, speed is everything

Case in point: Mah advised Yap on what she was covered for under her PRUShield and PRUExtra policies.

“My role is to provide clarity at every stage of a customer’s journey. Healthcare financing is not just about buying a policy – it’s about understanding risks, costs and trade-offs over a lifetime.

“I help clients see the full picture: how their medical coverage works today, how it may evolve as healthcare costs rise, and how to prepare without over-stretching their finances. Most importantly, I act as a long-term partner – someone they can return to as their life, health needs and regulations change.”

He also helped to facilitate Yap’s admission at Raffles Medical Hospital promptly, where the team of specialists confirmed a diagnosis of Stage 4 ovarian cancer with metastasis.

By the third day, Yap had undergone surgery to remove the tumours, her uterus, ovaries and a section of her digestive tract to prevent the cancer from further spreading.

After surgery, she was able to focus on her recovery without the hassle and worry of what to do next, as Mah and the Prudential team were there to guide her. The claims process was also smooth as Raffles Medical Hospital is one of the pioneering partners on Prudential’s PRUPanel Connect, a hospital partnership programme launched in 2019 that offers customers a seamless experience when seeking medical treatment at panel hospitals.

As one of Prudential’s partner hospitals, Raffles Medical Hospital works closely with the insurer through shared systems, making the claims process straightforward for patients.

Plan early for peace of mind when it matters

Following her surgery, Yap spent a week recuperating at the hospital. Her illness significantly impacted her family and work life. Her colleague helped to cover an overseas project that she was in charge of and she had to stop her side gig as a Zumba instructor. Her husband also had to adjust his work schedule to care for her.

Yap is still undergoing treatment, but knowing that the medicine used in her targeted therapy is covered by her Integrated Shield Plan and rider has taken financial worry off her mind, allowing her to focus on her recovery. She is also scheduled for surgery to create a stoma.

“Honestly, I can’t imagine going through this without PRUShield and PRUExtra. Without them, I would have had to bear a significant financial burden out of pocket.”

After her life-changing experience, Yap realised the importance of having a dedicated recovery fund, and now advocates for a comprehensive approach to protection. While her Integrated Shield Plan and rider covered her medical bills, there was a need for additional support to manage the wellness costs that arise during recovery.

“Medical bills can be overwhelming when you’re sick, and during such times, your focus should be on recovery – not worrying about finances.

“If you haven’t purchased insurance yet, do it as soon as possible – it’s an important safety net. For those who already have coverage, review your policy regularly to ensure it meets your current needs,” she says.

Disclaimer:

This article is for your information only and does not consider your specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you seek advice from a Prudential Financial Representative before making a commitment to purchase a policy.

This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact your insurer or visit the GIA/LIA or SDIC web-sites (www.gia.org.sg or www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Information is correct as at May 4, 2026.