What additional costs should I expect if I am diagnosed with a critical illness?
A critical illness — such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke — brings two categories of financial impact beyond regular living expenses:
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Medical treatment (early stage) | S$14,000 – S$50,000 |
| Medical treatment (late stage) | S$100,000 – S$200,000 per year |
| Loss of income during recovery | Typically 3 – 5 years of income disruption |
Beyond medical bills, indirect costs often create the greatest strain. One in four patients borrowed money or remortgaged their homes, one in three used up most or all of their savings, and one in ten declared bankruptcy. Planner Bee
According to the LIA Protection Gap Study 2022, the average critical illness coverage needed for an economically productive adult in Singapore is around S$316,603, but average existing coverage is only S$59,776 — a shortfall of S$264,586.
Costs are estimates based on publicly available market data as of 2025–2026 and may vary depending on the illness, stage of diagnosis, and treatment chosen.
📌 Sources: SmartWealth – Critical Illness Statistics Singapore | Planner Bee – How Singaporeans Can Financially Prepare for Critical Illness | LIA Singapore – Protection Gap Study 2022