FAQs

Will I be seeing the same medical social worker or clinical psychologist for my counselling sessions?

Yes, for continuity of care, the same medical social worker or clinical psychologist will be attending to you unless the staff is unavailable (e.g. on long leave).

Why am I being referred out of NCCS for counselling service?

Our department works with patients who are facing cancer-related difficulties. If your counselling needs fall outside this scope, we may refer you to services that can support you more appropriately.

Can I seek counselling support at your department if I am not an NCCS patient?

Our counselling service offers support to NCCS patients and their caregivers on cancer-related concerns.
For non-NCCS patients, we can help you by connecting you with services that are available in the medical institutions that you are seeking treatment or other community agencies that can help you.
Our patient support programme is open to all individuals living with cancer and their caregivers in Singapore.

What help can I receive if I lose a loved one to cancer?

Our department provides bereavement support for bereaved spouses or loved ones, including children of late patients, on a one-to-one-basis or group setting. Please contact us for more details.

I had been referred to DPO for counselling, why am I being referred to another agency outside of the National Cancer Centre Singapore?

You will be seen in DPO for matters related to your illness. However, you may have other needs that is not illness-related, for example, managing children with learning disorders, receiving financial assistance for daily living expenses etc. For these needs, you may be referred to other social service agencies.

What if I need help with instalment payments of outstanding bills?

Please contact our Business Office at 6436 8221 for more information.

Where can I find more information about the costs of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments?

After your doctor prescribes treatment, you will meet with a patient service associate at the specialist outpatient clinic for advice on the cost.

I am receiving assistance under MediFund. Why are there still deductions from my MediSave and MediShield Life for my medical bills?

MediFund provides a safety net for patients who face financial difficulties with their remaining bills after government subsidies and other means of payment, which include MediShield Life, MediSave and cash. Please refer to the Ministry of Health's website for more information on MediFund.

How can I renew my financial aid if it is ending?

You can make an appointment to see your medical social worker for a reassessment one month before the expiry date.

I am a private class patient, however, due to a change in my financial situation, I would like to apply to be a subsidised class patient. How can I apply?

You can make an appointment to see a medical social worker for an assessment of whether you are eligible to change your class status.
Please bring along all of the following:
• Singapore NRIC (pink or blue).
• Either a pay slip for the past 3 months (for salaried worker), or an IRAS statement (for business owner).
• Up-to-date CPF transaction history consisting of Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement account balances.
• Annual Value of your property (generated from IRAS)

(From 1 January 2023, private acute inpatient and day surgery patients can opt for subsidised follow-up care at specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs).
You can inform the ward nurses of your wish to downgrade from the private to subsidised class at SOCs prior to your discharge from the inpatient ward.
Please note that you will not be able to choose your doctor if you opt for subsidised follow-up care at the SOCs.)

If i am a foreign and non-permanent resident patient, can I apply for financial aid?

Financial aid can be considered for Long-Term Visit Pass Holders on a case-by-case basis. There is no financial aid for foreigners on social visits, work permits and special passes.

How do I find out if the medical insurance that I have bought covers my medical bills?

The types of medical insurances available in Singapore are varied. The coverage depends on the types of medical/health insurance plans that you have. It is best to approach your insurance agent or a representative of your insurance provider, to explain the terms and conditions of your policy.

I do not qualify for MediFund, are there other forms of financial aid for me?

If you do not qualify for MediFund, there are other financial schemes that the medical social worker can help you to access on a case-by-case basis.
To make an appointment, contact us.

How will my chemotherapy treatment be financed?

You can find out more about how your chemotherapy treatment is financed on the Ministry of Health's Cancer Drug List.

Apart from contacting DPO directly on the enquiry and making an appointment links, can I use Health Buddy App to make a DPO appointment?

At the present time, you can only make doctor’s appointments at NCCS with the Health Buddy App.

I do not speak English. Do you support different languages?

Yes. Our team members can speak to you in our four official languages and other dialects.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

You can call the NCCS appointment booking hotline at 6436 8088, approach the Psychosocial Oncology self-service station or use the SingHealth Health Buddy app to make another new appointment.

How do I change my appointment?

If you need to change the timing of your appointment, you can do so on the Health Buddy app or by calling the NCCS appointment booking line at 6436 8088.

Do you offer video consultation (via Zoom) for counselling or application of financial assistance?

The first session must be in-person and subsequent sessions may be via video consultations. You will need to have a device with video conferencing capability, such as a phone, tablet or computer.

I have difficulties taking care of a cancer patient. Can I speak to someone about caregiving help?

Yes, you can make an appointment with our medical social worker on your concerns and explore other caregiving arrangements. You can also find resources on caregiving by the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC), or visit the AIC Link at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Block 6, Level 1 (next to Kopitiam).

Contact us for any enquiries or to request an appointment.