Quick answer. MediSave is your national medical savings account. It can pay for hospitalisation, day surgery, selected outpatient treatments, screenings, vaccinations, maternity care, and insurance premiums (MediShield Life, CareShield Life/ElderShield and Integrated Shield Plans) – for yourself and approved family members. Every use is capped by published withdrawal limits, set so most subsidised bills are covered while preserving savings for old age. The most you can hold in MediSave is the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS), which is S$79,000 in 2026 for members below 65 and is fixed for life once you turn 65.
MediSave deliberately does not pay for everything, and it caps how much each use can draw. Knowing the limits helps you anticipate what you can settle from MediSave and what will fall to insurance or cash.
At a glance
| Use | Limit |
|---|---|
| Basic Healthcare Sum (ceiling on MediSave) | S$79,000 (below 65; fixed for life at 65) |
| Inpatient hospital charges | S$1,130/day first 2 days, S$400/day thereafter |
| Day-surgery ward charges | S$830/day |
| Surgical procedure (operation) | S$240 to S$5,290 by procedure ranking |
| Chronic care (MediSave500/700) | S$500/year (non-complex) / S$700/year (complex); 15% cash co-pay |
| Flexi-MediSave (age 60+) | S$400/year per patient |
| Outpatient scans (CT/MRI) | S$600/year per patient |
| IP additional-premium limits (AWLs, by age) | S$300 / S$600 / S$900 per year |
Figures as of 2026. The below-65 BHS is adjusted yearly; the chronic-care limits are scheduled to rise on 1 Jan 2027.
The Basic Healthcare Sum (the ceiling)
The BHS is the estimated savings needed for basic subsidised healthcare in old age, and the maximum you can hold in MediSave. For 2026 it is S$79,000 for members below 65 (raised from S$75,500). Once you reach 65, your BHS is fixed for life; savings above it flow to your other CPF accounts, but you keep using MediSave normally.
Hospitalisation, day surgery and surgery
- Inpatient: up to S$1,130/day for the first two days, then S$400/day for ward, treatment, investigations and medicines.
- Day surgery: up to S$830/day for ward and hospital charges.
- Operation: a fixed sum by procedure ranking under the Table of Surgical Procedures, from S$240 to S$5,290. Claims are capped at 3 procedures across at most 2 body systems.
Because these caps are sized for subsidised bills, a large private bill can exceed them, leaving a balance for insurance or cash.
Chronic care, Flexi-MediSave and scans
Under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, MediSave covers up to S$500/year (non-complex) or S$700/year (complex) per patient across 23 approved conditions, with a 15% cash co-payment – waived at your enrolled Healthier SG clinic. From 1 January 2027 these limits are due to rise to S$700/S$1,000. Flexi-MediSave lets those aged 60 and above draw S$400/year per patient for outpatient care at polyclinics, public specialist clinics and CHAS GP clinics. Diagnostic scans such as CT and MRI are covered up to S$600/year per patient.
Screening, vaccinations, maternity and IVF
- Approved vaccinations (adult and the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule) and recommended screening (such as mammograms for women aged 50+) are claimable.
- Maternity Package: delivery operation limits of S$1,120 (natural), S$2,380 (Caesarean) or S$2,440 (complicated Caesarean), plus S$900 pre-delivery, on top of daily hospital limits. Every Singapore-Citizen newborn receives a S$5,000 MediSave Grant.
- Assisted conception (IVF): up to S$6,000 / S$5,000 / S$4,000 for the 1st/2nd/3rd cycles, with a S$15,000 lifetime cap.
Insurance premiums
MediShield Life, ElderShield and CareShield Life premiums are fully payable from MediSave. For Integrated Shield Plans, the MediShield Life portion is fully MediSave-payable, but the additional private-insurance portion is capped by Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) by age next birthday: S$300 (1–40), S$600 (41–70), S$900 (71+) per year, with any excess paid in cash.
Using MediSave for family
MediSave can be used for approved family members – spouse, children, parents, grandparents and siblings – including paying their eligible insurance premiums. See also using MediSave for treatment.
Related guides
- MediShield Life explained
- Integrated Shield Plans (IP) & riders
- Using MediSave for treatment
- CHAS card & subsidies
- CareShield Life & ElderShield
- Pioneer & Merdeka Generation benefits
- How to pay for surgery
- Understanding your hospital bill
- MediFund & financial assistance
- Health insurance for foreigners
- Polyclinic vs GP vs A&E costs
- Specialist consultation costs
- Public vs private specialists
Sources
- CPF Board — Basic Healthcare Sum for 2026 (S$79,000, up from S$75,500).
- CPF Board — Using MediSave for hospitalisation (daily ward, day-surgery, surgical and maternity limits; IVF).
- CPF Board — Using MediSave for outpatient treatments (CDMP, Flexi-MediSave, scans).
- MOH — Chronic Disease Management Programme MediSave use (S$500/S$700 limits, 15% co-pay, 2027 changes); Flexi-MediSave scheme.
- CPF Board — Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) for Integrated Shield Plan premiums (S$300/S$600/S$900 by age).
This guide is general information on Singapore healthcare financing, not financial or medical advice, and scheme rules and figures change. Always confirm current details with the official body (MOH, CPF Board, the Agency for Integrated Care, or your insurer/hospital) before making decisions.