X-Ray Cost in Singapore
What you actually pay at polyclinics, public hospitals and private clinics, plus where MediSave and MediShield Life do and don't apply. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: A private chest X-ray in Singapore costs about S$30–55 (US$23–43) at walk-in clinics. Mediway lists S$30, and ATA Medical lists from S$49.05 nett. Most single-limb X-rays are around S$60 (≈US$46). At a SingHealth polyclinic, Citizens pay an X-ray fee in the published S$16.90–40.50 band on top of a S$19.60 subsidised consultation. Private hospital urgent-care X-rays usually start above S$100. MediSave's outpatient scan limit does not apply to plain X-rays.
Quick Overview
Singapore's public system is run by three healthcare clusters: SingHealth, NHG and NUHS. It covers the polyclinics, the restructured hospitals such as SGH, NUH, TTSH, CGH and NTFGH, and their specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs). Citizens and Permanent Residents get subsidised rates in that system. A large private sector also offers fast, transparent walk-in imaging. In practice, the cheapest X-ray depends on who you are. A Citizen with a polyclinic appointment pays the least. A foreigner or anyone without a referral often finds a private walk-in clinic just as cheap and much quicker.
🏥 Polyclinics
- Consult: S$19.60 Citizen / S$39.70 PR / S$90.36 non-resident
- X-ray fee billed separately (SingHealth band S$16.90–40.50 for Citizens)
- X-ray ordered by the polyclinic doctor
- Children (under 18) and seniors (65+) pay less
🏥 Public hospital SOC / A&E
- SOC subsidies: 30–70% for Citizens, 25% for PRs
- A&E attendance ≈S$163–171 (SGH, SKH, Oct 2025)
- CT/MRI at SOCs: MediSave up to S$600/yr
- Specialist referral needed for subsidised SOC care
🏥 Private clinics & hospitals
- Walk-in chest X-ray S$30–55
- Limb X-rays ≈S$60–70
- Consult ≈S$49 if you have no referral letter
- Hospital urgent care (e.g., Mount Elizabeth) from ≈S$100
Singapore X-Ray Prices by Exam (October 2026)
Private prices are published nett list prices, including GST, from ATA Medical (atamed), checked October 2026, unless another source is named. Public polyclinics do not publish per-exam X-ray fees. They bill the X-ray on top of the consultation, and SingHealth's published X-ray fee band is the best public guide.
| Exam | Public / polyclinic (Citizen) | Private clinic (SGD) | Private (USD ≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest (PA) | X-ray fee in S$16.90–40.50 band + S$19.60 consult | S$30–55 (from S$49.05 at ATA) | $23–43 |
| Hand / wrist | Same polyclinic band | S$59.95 | $46 |
| Ankle / foot | Same polyclinic band | S$59.95 | $46 |
| Knee | Same polyclinic band | From S$59.95 | From $46 |
| Hip / pelvis | Same polyclinic band | S$70.85 (hip) | $55 |
| Cervical spine | Same polyclinic band | From S$76.30 | From $59 |
| Lumbar spine | Same polyclinic band | Quote on request; ≈S$70+ (Mediway non-chest rate) | ≈$54+ |
| Abdomen | Same polyclinic band | From S$59.95 | From $46 |
| Skull | Same polyclinic band | S$81.75 | $63 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | SingHealth dental X-ray S$16.90–40.50 | ≈S$78–100 (dental clinics) | ≈$60–77 |
| Consultation (no referral) | S$19.60 Citizen / S$39.70 PR | From S$49.05 | From $38 |
USD at approximately S$1.30 = US$1. In the polyclinic band, children (under 18) and seniors (65+) pay S$8.50–40.50, PRs S$25.60–45.40 and non-residents S$51.01–63.87. SingHealth lists this band under dental services, so confirm the medical X-ray fee with the clinic.
Ultrasound, CT and MRI Compared
If an X-ray isn't enough, you may be referred for further imaging. Private list prices are shown below. At public SOCs, the same scans are subsidised by 30–70% for Citizens (means-tested on household income) and 25% for PRs, and MediSave can pay up to S$600 a year for outpatient scans.
| Scan | Public SOC (subsidised) | Private clinic (SGD) | Private (USD ≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound — kidney | Subsidised; MediSave scan limit may apply | S$152.60 | $117 |
| Ultrasound — full abdomen | Subsidised; MediSave scan limit may apply | S$272.50 | $210 |
| CT lung (low-dose) | Subsidised; MediSave up to S$600/yr | S$436 | $335 |
| CT brain | Subsidised; MediSave up to S$600/yr | S$599.50 | $461 |
| CT abdomen & pelvis | Subsidised; MediSave up to S$600/yr | S$926.50 | $713 |
| MRI knee or spine | Subsidised; MediSave up to S$600/yr | From S$1,090 | From $838 |
| MRI brain | Subsidised; MediSave up to S$600/yr | From S$1,122.70 | From $864 |
MOH told Parliament in August 2026 that the S$600 MediSave outpatient scan limit, raised from S$300 on 1 January 2026, was sized to cover 9 in 10 annual subsidised bills. Subsidised public CT and MRI bills are therefore usually well below private list prices.
How Singapore Healthcare Coverage Works for Imaging
MediSave
- Outpatient scans: up to S$600 per patient per year from 1 Jan 2026 (was S$300)
- Not for plain X-rays: MOH states the scan limit does not apply to plain X-rays
- Separate limits cover cancer, chronic-disease (CDMP) and antenatal scans
- Flexi-MediSave (60+): up to S$400/yr for outpatient bills at polyclinics, SOCs and participating CHAS GPs
MediShield Life & Integrated Shield Plans
- MediShield Life: large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments
- Routine outpatient X-rays are not covered
- Imaging during an admission is part of the inpatient bill
- Integrated Shield Plans extend cover to private hospitals; check your plan's outpatient terms
- MediFund: safety net for needy subsidised patients
Subsidy tiers
- Polyclinic consult: S$19.60 Citizen, S$9.00 child or senior, S$39.70 PR, S$90.36 non-resident (SingHealth)
- SOC subsidy: Citizens 30–70% by household income; PRs 25% (MOH)
- Pioneer and Merdeka Generation members get extra discounts
- The government absorbs GST for subsidised patients
What Changes the Price of an X-Ray in Singapore
🪪 Residency status
- Subsidies at polyclinics and SOCs apply only to Citizens and PRs
- A polyclinic consult costs a non-resident about 4.6× the Citizen rate (S$90.36 vs S$19.60)
- Private clinics charge everyone the same list price
📝 Referral or no referral
- Private imaging clinics waive the consult if you bring a valid referral letter
- Without one, expect about S$49 extra at ATA Medical
- Some clinics only take walk-ins for chest X-rays (e.g., Mediway)
🦴 Number of views and body part
- Single-view chest X-rays are the cheapest
- Spine, skull and hip studies cost more (S$70–82 at ATA)
- A&E and after-hours urgent care add attendance fees
How to Get a Subsidised X-Ray (Citizens and PRs)
- 1. Book a polyclinic visit through HealthHub or your cluster's app (SingHealth, NHG or NUP).
- 2. See the polyclinic doctor. If an X-ray is clinically needed, they will order it, usually on site the same day.
- 3. Pay the subsidised consult and X-ray fee. MediSave's outpatient scan limit does not cover plain X-rays, but if you are 60 or older, ask whether Flexi-MediSave applies to the bill.
- 4. If you need CT, MRI or specialist review, ask for a subsidised referral to a public hospital SOC. You will be means-tested for a 30–70% subsidy (Citizens) or get 25% (PRs), and MediSave can pay up to S$600 a year toward the scans.
Polyclinic vs Public Hospital vs Private: Where to Go
🏥 Polyclinics (cheapest for residents)
- SingHealth Polyclinics, NHG Polyclinics and National University Polyclinics (NUP)
- On-site general X-ray at many polyclinics; ask which ones before you book
- Best for chest, limb and spine X-rays ordered by a family doctor
- Book through the HealthHub app or the cluster's own app
🏥 Public hospitals
- SGH, NUH, TTSH, CGH, SKH, KTPH, NTFGH
- Subsidised SOC imaging needs a referral from a polyclinic or CHAS GP
- A&E is for genuine emergencies, at ≈S$163–171 attendance
- Best for CT and MRI, where SOC subsidies plus MediSave save the most
🏥 Private
- Walk-in imaging: ATA Medical (Tanjong Pagar, Orchard, Jurong, Novena), Mediway, Advantage Medical
- GP groups: Raffles Medical, Parkway Shenton, Healthway Medical
- Hospitals: Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles, Raffles Hospital, Farrer Park
- Fastest option: same-day X-ray and report
Guide by Patient Type
🇸🇬 Singapore Citizens / PRs
- A polyclinic visit is usually cheapest: about S$37–60 all-in for a Citizen
- Pay cash for plain X-rays; MediSave's scan limit doesn't apply
- For CT or MRI, take the subsidised SOC route and use MediSave up to S$600/yr
- Age 60+: Flexi-MediSave can help with outpatient bills
🌐 Foreign workers / expats
- Polyclinic non-resident rates (S$90.36 consult) remove most of the price advantage
- A private walk-in X-ray at S$30–60 is often cheaper overall
- Check your employer's group medical insurance before paying
- Keep your itemised bill for claims
✈️ Visitors / medical tourists
- Use private walk-in clinics for simple injuries
- Hospital urgent care centres cost more (X-ray from ≈S$100 plus fees)
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Ask for images on CD or a download link
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- NRIC, FIN or passport
- A referral letter, which saves the ≈S$49 private consult
- Your Integrated Shield Plan or employer insurance details
- Prior imaging, if you have it
⏰ Typical wait times
- Private walk-in: same day; most X-rays need no appointment
- Polyclinic: same visit when X-ray is on site
- SOC CT/MRI: scheduled appointment, often weeks
- Report: usually same day to 2 working days
💡 How to save money
- Citizens and PRs: start at a polyclinic or CHAS GP
- Bring a referral to avoid paying a second consultation
- For CT/MRI, the subsidised SOC route plus MediSave usually beats private
- Ask whether one view is enough before paying for more
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Singapore?
At private walk-in clinics a chest X-ray is listed from S$49.05 (about US$38) including GST, and a single limb X-ray such as a hand, wrist, knee or ankle is around S$60 (about US$46). At SingHealth polyclinics, the published X-ray fee band for Singapore Citizens is S$16.90–40.50, plus a S$19.60 subsidised consultation. Private hospital urgent-care X-rays usually cost more than S$100.
How much is a chest X-ray at a polyclinic?
Polyclinics do not publish a chest-X-ray-only price. SingHealth Polyclinics lists an X-ray fee band of S$16.90–40.50 for Citizens, S$25.60–45.40 for Permanent Residents and S$51.01–63.87 for non-residents. That band appears under dental services, so treat it as a guide. You also pay the consultation fee: S$19.60 for Citizens, S$39.70 for PRs and S$90.36 for non-residents. NUP and NHG polyclinics bill X-rays separately from the consultation.
What is the cheapest private X-ray in Singapore?
Mediway Medical lists a walk-in chest X-ray at S$30. Other body parts there cost S$70 and need a GP consultation first. ATA Medical (atamed) lists chest X-rays from S$49.05 nett and most limb X-rays at S$59.95. Without a referral letter, ATA Medical also charges a consultation from S$49.05.
Can I use MediSave for an X-ray?
Generally not for a plain X-ray. MOH's MediSave limit for outpatient scans (S$600 per patient per year from 1 January 2026) explicitly does not apply to plain X-rays. It is meant for scans such as CT and MRI ordered to diagnose or treat a medical condition. Patients aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave (up to S$400 a year) for outpatient bills at polyclinics, public specialist outpatient clinics and participating CHAS GPs. Confirm with CPF Board or the clinic before you pay.
Does MediShield Life cover X-rays?
Routine outpatient X-rays are not covered. MediShield Life is designed for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Imaging done during a hospital admission forms part of the inpatient bill, which MediShield Life and any Integrated Shield Plan may then help pay.
How much does a CT or MRI scan cost in Singapore?
ATA Medical's private list prices (October 2026) are S$599.50 for a CT brain, S$926.50 for a CT abdomen and pelvis, S$1,090 for an MRI of the knee or spine and from S$1,122.70 for an MRI of the brain. At public specialist outpatient clinics, Citizens get means-tested subsidies of 30–70% and PRs get 25%. MOH says the S$600 MediSave scan limit was sized to cover 9 in 10 annual subsidised bills.
How much is an X-ray at a Singapore A&E?
Public hospital emergency departments charge an attendance fee of roughly S$163–171 (S$163.20 at SGH and S$171 at SKH from 1 October 2025). Some investigations and imaging are billed on top, so ask whether your X-ray is included. Private hospital urgent care centres such as Mount Elizabeth Novena quote X-rays from about S$100 upward, plus the doctor's fee. SKH states that MediSave cannot be used for ED bills.
Do I need a referral for an X-ray in Singapore?
Public polyclinic X-rays are ordered by the polyclinic doctor. NHG Diagnostics says general X-ray needs a referral from a registered medical practitioner, but you do not need an appointment. Private walk-in imaging clinics accept a referral letter from any doctor. If you have no letter, they arrange a short consultation, which usually adds about S$30–50.
Can foreigners get a cheap X-ray in Singapore?
Foreigners pay unsubsidised rates at polyclinics: S$90.36 for the consultation and S$51.01–63.87 in the SingHealth X-ray fee band. In practice, a private walk-in clinic at S$30–60 per X-ray is often the same price or cheaper, and usually faster. Work-pass holders should check their employer's group insurance first.
How much does a dental panoramic (OPG) X-ray cost in Singapore?
Private dental clinics typically charge about S$78–100 for a panoramic (OPG) X-ray, based on 2024–2026 clinic and directory listings. Corporate dental schedules can be lower. SingHealth Polyclinics' dental X-ray band is S$16.90–40.50 for Citizens.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- SingHealth Polyclinics — Charges and Payment (consultation and X-ray fee bands by residency)
- Ministry of Health Singapore — MediSave for outpatient care (outpatient scan limit, plain X-ray exclusion, Flexi-MediSave)
- Ministry of Health Singapore — Parliamentary reply on the S$600 MediSave limit for outpatient CT and MRI (6 August 2026)
- Ministry of Health Singapore — Subsidies for specialist outpatient care at public healthcare institutions
- Singapore General Hospital — Diagnostic Radiology charges & payments; ED charges (Oct 2025)
- Sengkang General Hospital — Emergency department FAQ (attendance fee, MediSave exclusion)
- NHG Diagnostics — General X-ray service information (referral requirements)
- ATA Medical (atamed.sg) — X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI price lists (updated 1 October 2026)
- Mediway Medical and Advantage Medical — published walk-in X-ray prices
- Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital — Urgent Care Centre patient guide (estimated imaging charges)
- WhatClinic Singapore and clinic price lists — dental panoramic (OPG) X-ray prices
Last reviewed: October 2026. Fees change often and vary by clinic, so confirm the price with the provider before your visit.