JOHOR BAHRU — The number of Singaporean patients using MediSave for treatment at a private hospital in Johor Bahru has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting growing demand for cross-border healthcare.
Regency Specialist Hospital, currently the only hospital in Johor Bahru participating in Singapore’s overseas MediSave scheme, said around 90 per cent of its MediSave patients are women, as reported by CNA.
Obstetrics and gynaecology services, including maternity care, are among the most commonly sought treatments. The hospital did not disclose the exact number of Singaporean patients using MediSave.
Regency Specialist Hospital receives between 150 and 200 international patients each day, with most coming from Singapore and Indonesia.
Chief executive officer Serena Yong said treatment affordability and accessibility were among the factors influencing patients who seek healthcare in Malaysia.
“I would say that dollar to dollar is about the same, maybe 10 per cent more (for JB). But you know, in terms of currency, it's already one-third,” she said.
However, Yong stressed that patients should not base their decisions solely on treatment costs.
“The quality, the safety, the accessibility of the doctors, the skills are also very important parts of the consideration.”
Singapore’s Ministry of Health has allowed citizens and permanent residents to use MediSave for elective hospitalisations and day surgeries overseas at selected accredited healthcare facilities since March 2010.
Before receiving treatment, patients must visit Singapore-based healthcare provider Health Management International (HMI) for clinical assessment and financial counselling, as well as to determine their eligibility for MediSave coverage.
The same MediSave withdrawal limits that apply to treatments in Singapore also apply when treatment is received overseas.
Regency Specialist Hospital has participated in the scheme since 2010. The other participating hospital is Mahkota Medical Centre in Malacca.
Lower treatment prices remain a major attraction for Singaporeans seeking healthcare in Malaysia.
A 2025 study by Singapore-based think-tank ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute found that procedures performed in Malaysia could cost between 24 per cent and 74 per cent less than in Singapore. Estimated savings stood at 74 per cent for in-vitro fertilisation, 37 per cent for knee replacement surgery and 24 per cent for heart bypass surgery.
However, Francis Hoan, associate director of financial advisory at Financial Alliance, cautioned that lower procedure prices do not necessarily translate into lower overall expenses.
“The entire treatment cost is not just a procedure price, but it consists of consultation, pre-op test, the procedure itself, hospital stay, anaesthetist, specialist fees, medication, and follow-up visits, or even complications.
“Don’t compare just the sticker price but compare the total cost,” said Hoan.
Patients should also account for accommodation, time away from work and the extent of MediSave coverage when calculating the overall cost of overseas treatment.
Hoan said insurance coverage was another important consideration.
“Most Integrated Shield Plans and MediShield Life don't cover overseas private treatment, so the cheap price may be fully self-paid versus a small copayment locally,” he said.
He added that planned, lower-complexity procedures requiring limited follow-up care were more likely to offer financial advantages for patients travelling across the border.
The planned Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, scheduled to open in January 2027, could make cross-border healthcare more accessible.
Regency Specialist Hospital expects demand for healthcare services in Johor Bahru to remain strong and plans to introduce additional medical services as demand grows.
Hoan said cross-border healthcare would likely become a growing supplement to Singapore’s healthcare system rather than replace it.
“It will make cross-border care more mainstream for planned, low-complexity treatment, whereas complex, urgent, high-risk care will likely stay in Singapore for two main reasons: continuity and insurance coverage,” he said.
He added that the longer-term impact could include greater pricing pressure on healthcare providers in Singapore.
