28 Jan 2021 

SOURCE: CPF Board

​​​​Each month, MediSave helps you set aside a portion of your income to prepare for healthcare expenses that you or your loved ones may incur in the future.

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Here are 10 ways you can tap on your MediSave for your healthcare needs.

1. To stay healthy​

MediSave comes in handy not only when you're unwell, but also for preventive care.​

You can use up to $500 (for simple chronic conditions) or $700 (for ​complex chronic conditions) per patient​ per year on selected screening tests, recommended vaccinations under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule and National Adult Immunisation Schedule, as well as outpatient treatments of 20 approved chronic conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). 

From 1 Jan 2021, patients with complex chronic conditions will be able to use an additional $200 per year, or up to $700 per patient yearly.

2. For surgery or hospitalisation

In the event that you need inpatient care, you can withdraw up to $550 per day for the first two days of your stay in the hospital, and up to $400 for each subsequent day.

If you require surgery, you can withdraw an additional amount for surgical expenses, up to the surgical limits. The surgical limits also apply for day surgeries, on top of $300 for ward charges. For more information, read this page on MediSave uses.

3. For your long-term care needs

Under MediSave Care, severely disabled Singapore Residents aged 30 and above can withdraw up to $200 per month in cash from their own and/or their spouse's MediSave account for their long-term care needs. The maximum withdrawal amount allowed depends on the MediSave balance at the point of monthly withdrawal, to ensure adequacy for other medical expenses.

4. When you welcome your baby

MediSave can also help with your expenses when you welcome your bundle of joy.  Under the MediSave Maternity Package you can tap on your MediSave for pre-delivery medical expenses of up to $900 and $3,950​ for your delivery procedure.  You can also use up to $550 per day for the first two days and up to $400 for each subsequent day of your stay in hospital. 

For Assisted Conception Procedures, you can use up to $6,000 for your first treatment cycle, $5,000 for your second cycle, and $4,000 for your third and subsequent cycles, within a lifetime limit of $15,000 per patient.

5. When you need selected repeated treatment

You can also use MediSave when you require selected repeated treatments, to ease the burden of healthcare expenses that may add up over time. Such treatments include renal dialysis, for which you can use up to $450 a month. Cancer patients can use MediSave for various treatments, including up to $1,200 per month for chemotherapy. 

6. To pay for insurance premiums

MediSave helps you to pay for your health and long-term care insurance premiums, or those of your immediate family members. This includes the premiums for basic insurance plans such as MediShield Life and CareShield Life, and supplement plans such as Integrated Shield Plan and CareShield Life Supplements, up to the Additional Withdrawal Limits.

As a Singaporean, you are covered for your basic hospitalisation needs under MediShield Life, for as long as you live. Additionally, if you’re a Singaporean born in 1980 or later, you will also be covered for your basic long-term care needs under CareShield Life. Singaporeans born in 1979 or earlier may choose to join CareShield Life closer to end-2021, if they are not already severely disabled. 

In opting for additional healthcare and long-term care coverage, always assess and consider your healthcare needs and the affordability of the insurance premiums.

7. When the doctor advises you to go for a scan

You can use up to $300 per year per patient on outpatient medical scans such as CT or MRI scans.

8. For rehabilitation and recovery

If you need to stay in community hospitals or undergo rehabilitation to recuperate, you can use up to $250 per day for hospitalisation charges at community hospitals (up to a maximum of $5,000 per year), and up to $25 per day at approved day rehabilitation centres (up to a maximum of $1,500 a year). 

9. When you fall ill in old age

As you age, there is more flexibility to use your MediSave to reduce out-of-pocket payments for outpatient treatments. Under the Flexi-MediSave scheme, if you’re aged 60 and above, you can use up to $200 per patient per year from your own or your spouse’s MediSave account for treatments at polyclinics, public Specialist Outpatient Clinics, and CHAS GP Clinics.

10. For end-of-life care

Should you need inpatient palliative care, you may use up to $250 (general) or $350 (specialised) per day from your MediSave for approved inpatient hospice palliative care services (IHPCS).

The combined lifetime withdrawal limit for day hospice and home palliative care is $2,500 per patient, but there will not be any limit if you’re diagnosed with terminal cancer or end-stage organ failure and if the bill is paid using your MediSave account.

For more information, read this page on the uses of MediSave. 

Information updated as at 18/5​/2021.​​​