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Chest Tube Insertion for Pneumothorax or Pleural Effusion (Surgical)
Surgical chest tube insertion drains air or fluid from the pleural space to allow lung re-expansion.
What It Costs
MOH benchmarks show:
• Surgeon fee: SGD 700 – 1,300
• Anaesthetist fee: Not available
What’s Typically Covered
Most plans cover:
• Emergency or urgent chest drainage
• Inpatient or emergency department care
Insurance Tip
Ensure it is coded as therapeutic drainage, not routine monitoring.
Conclusion
Simple drainage can be life-saving. Insurance should support urgent intervention.
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