By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
Seeing a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner in Singapore can cost as little as $21 for registration, consultation and acupuncture at a charitable clinic such as Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution, or $40 to $120 just for the consultation at a private clinic, with acupuncture, cupping or tuina charged on top. Herbal medicine adds a daily charge. MediSave has not been extended to TCM clinics, and CHAS and MediShield Life do not cover routine TCM visits, so most patients pay in cash. Some company medical plans and private outpatient covers reimburse TCM, usually only from an MOH-registered practitioner and up to an annual limit.
Whether it is a stubborn shoulder or a cough that will not quit, plenty of Singaporeans head to the sinseh. Here is what you will pay, and how to keep the bill sensible.
Quick facts
- TCM practitioners must be registered with the TCM Practitioners Board, under MOH.
- Charitable clinic: from $21 for registration, consultation and acupuncture (Chung Hwa, specialty treatment).
- Private clinic consultation: about $40 to $120 at one chain, before GST and treatment.
- Acupuncture: from $8 at a charitable clinic to $70 to $240 per area privately.
- Herbs: charged per day, from $2 a day at Chung Hwa.
- MediSave: not extended to TCM clinics; check company or private plans for TCM cover.
What a TCM visit costs
Here are published prices from two ends of the market, as of October 2026. Private clinic prices exclude GST.
| Item | Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution (charity) | PULSE TCM (private, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | $3 | Not listed separately |
| Consultation | $10 (specialty), $27 (adjunct physician), $42 (TCM special care) | $40–$70 (physician), $50–$100 (senior), $90–$120 (consultant) |
| Acupuncture | $8 | $70–$240 per area or ailment |
| Cupping | $8 | $40–$80 per area |
| Tuina | Varies by branch | From $80 per area (20 minutes) |
| Herbal medicine | From $2 a day (tablets, days 1–8); granules $5 a day | Quoted after prescription |
Chung Hwa’s fees apply from January 2024, and its medication prices from January 2023. Patients in financial difficulty can apply there for a fee exemption, with supporting documents. Other chains price between these two ends; always ask for the consultation fee and a treatment estimate before you start.
A worked example: a course of treatment
Say you need four weekly visits for back pain, each with acupuncture, plus a week of granules after the first visit.
- At Chung Hwa (specialty treatment): 4 × $21 = $84, plus 7 days of granules at $5 = $35. Total about $119.
- At PULSE, lowest published rates: 4 × ($40 + $70) = $440 before herbs and GST. With 9% GST that is about $479.60, and herbs are extra.
Charitable clinics can mean longer waits and set registration hours. Private clinics often offer shorter waits, appointment slots and named physicians.
What insurance and subsidies cover
| Scheme | Covers TCM clinic visits? |
|---|---|
| MediSave | No; MOH said in 2020 that further MediSave use must be balanced against protecting balances, and it has focused on mainstream evidence-based treatments |
| MediShield Life | No, for routine outpatient TCM |
| CHAS | No government subsidy for TCM |
| Company medical benefits | Sometimes; many plans set a TCM sub-limit per visit or per year |
| Private outpatient covers and riders | Sometimes; usually requires an MOH-registered practitioner and an itemised receipt |
Some clinics charge a small admin fee to process insurance claims; PULSE, for example, lists $10 per claim.
The WahLiao Verdict
Check your company benefits first: a TCM allowance you already have is the cheapest treatment of all. For simple, regular care, a charitable clinic gives excellent value if you can work around its hours. If you go private, ask for the full price of a course, not just the first visit, and make sure your practitioner is registered with the TCM Practitioners Board. Tell your doctor about any herbs you take alongside prescribed medicine.
Questions people ask
Can I use MediSave for acupuncture at a TCM clinic?
MediSave has not been extended to TCM clinics. Pay in cash, or claim from a company or private plan if you have TCM cover.
How do I check if a TCM practitioner is registered?
Search the TCM Practitioners Board register on MOH’s healthcare professionals portal. Insurers usually require a registered practitioner for claims.
Is there free TCM in Singapore?
Charitable clinics charge nominal fees, and some, such as Chung Hwa, let patients in financial difficulty apply for a fee exemption.
Do TCM prices include GST?
It depends on the clinic. PULSE lists prices before GST; ask any clinic whether its quoted fees include the 9% GST.
Sources: Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution, registration hours and charges; PULSE TCM, indicative consultation and treatment charges; Ministry of Health, use of MediSave at TCM clinics (2020); Ministry of Health, TCM practitioner registration. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Seeing a Doctor: Polyclinic, GP and Specialist Fees · Dental Costs in Singapore · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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