Full Body Check-Up: Why Year-End is the Best Time to Do It

Oaklife Family Clinic
Aug 4
4 min read

Have you ticked off your health goals for the year yet? As December approaches, many Singaporeans begin to think about wrapping up the year — not just with holiday shopping and travel plans, but also with health screenings.

At Oaklife Family Clinic, we often see a surge in appointments from October to December — and for good reason. Here’s why the year-end is the smartest time to schedule your full body check-up, and how to make the most of it.

Singaporean male doctor discussing a health screening plan with a male patient in a modern CHAS-approved clinic. — *A year-end check-up helps you make full use of your benefits — and start the new year with peace of mind.*

1. Use Up Your Benefits Before They Reset

Most company insurance plans in Singapore — especially under group health policies — reset annually on 31 December. If you haven’t used your allocated screening benefits yet, now’s the time.

Typical entitlements include:

Basic health screening
Blood tests (cholesterol, glucose, kidney/liver function)
Annual flu jab

According to the Life Insurance Association Singapore, only 26% of eligible employees utilised their outpatient benefits, including health screenings, in 2023 — meaning nearly 3 in 4 people didn’t use what they were entitled to.

That’s a huge missed opportunity — both in terms of cost savings and early detection.

2. Catch Issues Early Before the New Year Begins

A full body check-up can detect common but silent health issues like:

High cholesterol
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Diabetes
Anaemia
Liver or kidney abnormalities

These conditions often show no symptoms until they’re serious — which is why early detection through annual screening matters.

Dr Daniel Lim, family physician at Oaklife Family Clinic, shares:

“Many patients discover high cholesterol or early diabetes through year-end screenings. It's a chance to make small changes before the next year starts.”

3. It’s Easier to Book Appointments in November

While December can get packed (we get fully booked for health checks by mid-month!), November is the sweet spot. You’re early enough to beat the rush — and you’ll have your results before the holiday season begins.

4. Tap on Medisave and CHAS Subsidies

Good news — Medisave can be used (up to $500/year) for approved chronic disease screenings, and you may qualify for CHAS subsidies based on your household income.

Oaklife Family Clinic is a CHAS-approved clinic, so you can access these benefits if eligible. Just bring your NRIC and CHAS card.

🔍 Common subsidised screenings:

Cardiovascular risk screening (for diabetes, cholesterol, BP)
Colorectal cancer screening (Faecal Immunochemical Test)
Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear/HPV test)

What’s Included in a Full Body Check-Up?

Close-up of a health screening form and blood sample tubes on a white counter at a CHAS-approved clinic in Singapore. — *Basic screenings include blood and urine tests to check for common conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.*

Our health screening packages are designed based on age, lifestyle, and personal risk factors.

Here’s what a typical package includes:

Screening Type	What It Checks
Blood pressure	Hypertension
BMI and obesity risk	Weight-related conditions
Blood tests	Cholesterol, blood sugar, kidney & liver function
Urine test	Infection, kidney issues
ECG (optional)	Heart abnormalities
Cancer screening	PAP smear, FIT test, PSA (based on age/sex)

You can also opt for add-ons like:

Thyroid function tests
Vitamin D or B12 levels
STI screening
Women’s health checks (e.g. breast ultrasound, pelvic ultrasound)

Explore our full range of packages here: 🔗 Health Screening at Oaklife Family Clinic

A Real Story from Our Clinic

Last November, a 46-year-old office manager came in just to “use up her company credits.” She felt healthy and hadn’t screened in years. Her blood results showed early-stage diabetes and fatty liver. Because she caught it early, she managed to reverse both through diet and lifestyle changes — without medication.

🗣️ “I almost skipped it again. Now I tell all my colleagues — go and screen!” she laughed during her review visit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Year End Check Ups

Q. How often should I do a full body check-up?

A. For most healthy adults over 25, once a year is recommended. If you have chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, your doctor may suggest more frequent tests.

Q. Can I use Medisave for all health screenings?

A. Not all, but many — especially chronic disease and cancer screenings — are Medisave-claimable. Your doctor can advise what qualifies.

Q. I feel healthy. Do I still need a check-up?

A. Yes — many conditions like high cholesterol or fatty liver have no symptoms until they worsen. A screening can catch them early and allow you to make changes.

Q. How long does the screening take?

A. Basic screenings take 30–60 minutes, and results are usually ready in 3–5 working days. We’ll schedule a review appointment or call depending on your preference.

Q. What’s the best time to come in?

A. Come in early in the day (before food) for more accurate blood test results. Book in November to avoid December crowding.