CPF Board - A Guide to Medisave

Medisave Contributions

1. As an employee, how much do I contribute to my Medisave Account?

As an employee, you have to contribute a part of your monthly wages to your Medisave Account depending on your age group. Please click here for details.

2. What are the contribution rates for self-employed individuals?

If you are self-employed and earn a yearly net trade income of more than $6,000 a year, you need to contribute to Medisave. Your Medisave contribution payable is based on your age and net trade income for the year. Please click here for the Medisave contribution rates for self-employed persons.

3. Will my Medisave savings earn interest? Is the interest earned taxable?

Yes, your Medisave savings will earn interest at the prevailing CPF interest rate. Medisave interest is not taxable.

4. Is there a limit on my Medisave balance?

You need to contribute to your Medisave Account up to the prevailing Medisave Contribution Ceiling. From 1 July 2008, the Medisave Contribution Ceiling is revised to $34,500 and any Medisave contributions in excess of the Medisave Contribution Ceiling will be transferred from the Medisave Account to the Special Account for members aged below 55, and to the Retirement Account for members aged 55 and above, who do not meet the CPF Minimum Sum. For those who have set aside the full CPF Minimum Sum, the excess CPF contribution will be transferred from the Medisave Account to the Ordinary Account.

The Medisave Contribution Ceiling is adjusted each year on 1 July to ensure Singaporeans have sufficient savings to meet their hospitalisation expenses.

Government pensioners under the Fixed Amount on Ward Charges scheme do not need to have Medisave while government pensioners under the Co-payment on Ward Charges scheme need to contribute Medisave up to half the prevailing Medisave Contribution Ceiling.

5. Can I withdraw all my Medisave savings when I reach 55?

As you are likely to need Medisave for your healthcare needs during your retirement, you would need to retain the Medisave Minimum Sum in your Medisave Account when you withdraw your CPF savings.

If you have more than the Medisave Minimum Sum, you can withdraw the excess amount. With effect from 1 July 2008, the Medisave Minimum Sum is revised to $29,500.

From 1 January 2004, if you meet the CPF Minimum Sum, you will need to set aside a Medisave Required Amount in the Medisave Account when you withdraw your CPF savings. If you have less than the Medisave Required Amount in your Medisave Account, you can use your savings in the Special and/or Ordinary Accounts, to set aside the Medisave Required Amount. This includes the first withdrawal upon reaching 55 and all subsequent withdrawals.

For more information, you may refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Minimum Sum Scheme.

Government pensioners under the Fixed Amount on Ward Charges scheme do not need to have Medisave while government pensioners under the Co-payment on Ward Charges scheme need to set aside Medisave up to half the prevailing Medisave Minimum Sum.

6. What is the difference between Medisave Contribution Ceiling, Medisave Minimum Sum and Medisave Required Amount?

Medisave Contribution Ceiling is the maximum amount that a member is required to contribute and maintain in his Medisave Account. From 1 July 2008, the Medisave Contribution Ceiling is $34,500 and any Medisave contributions in excess of the Medisave Contribution Ceiling will be transferred from the Medisave Account to the Special Account for members aged below 55, and to the Retirement Account for members aged 55 and above, who do not meet the CPF Minimum Sum. For those who have set aside the full CPF Minimum Sum, the excess CPF contribution will be transferred from the Medisave Account to the Ordinary Account.

The Medisave Minimum Sum is the amount a member need to retain in his Medisave Account when he withdraws his CPF savings (e.g. at age 55). Any amount in excess of the prevailing Medisave Minimum Sum can be withdrawn.

The Medisave Required Amount is the amount that a member is required to have in his Medisave Account after meeting the CPF Minimum Sum. If the member does not have at least the prevailing Medisave Required Amount, he may transfer his Ordinary/Special Account balances to his Medisave Account to meet the Medisave Required Amount before he can withdraw the savings in his Ordinary/Special Account(s).

7. If I work after 55, do I still need to contribute to Medisave?

Yes, as long as you are still working you will need to contribute to Medisave up to the Medisave Contribution Ceiling. This way, you will be better able to take care of your medical expenses after your retirement.

Uses for Medisave

8. What should I do before hospitalisation?

Ask your doctor or the hospital staff for the total cost of hospital charges in different hospitals and classes of ward accommodation.

Check your Medisave balance; the amount of coverage allowed by Medisave; and the balance that needs to be paid in cash.

Choose a hospital and class of ward which is within your financial means.

Hospitalisation

9. In which hospitals can I use my Medisave savings?

You can use your Medisave in any restructured hospitals as well as any of the approved private hospitals and medical institutions.

Click here for the list of medical institutions participating in Medisave scheme

10. Can I use my Medisave savings to pay for hospital bills incurred by my family members?

Yes, you can use your Medisave savings to pay for the hospital bills of your spouse, children, parents or grandparents.

Your family members can be of any nationality except your grandparents, who must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.

11. What hospital charges does Medisave cover?

Medisave covers the following hospitalisation expenses:
- daily ward charges;
- doctors' fees;
- surgical operations, including the use of operating theatres; and
- in-patient charges for medical treatment, investigations, medicines, rehabilitative services, medical supplies, implants, and prostheses introduced during surgery.

12. How much of my Medisave can I use to cover my hospital bills?

The use of Medisave to pay the hospital bills is subject to the prevailing Medisave withdrawal limits which are intended to preserve members' Medisave from being depleted too fast so as to conserve it for their future hospitalisation needs.
For a hospitalisation claim, the patient must have stayed in the hospital for at least 8 hours (unless the patient is admitted for day surgery) or died within 8 hours of being hospitalised.
Medisave covers up to:
-	either $400 per day for daily hospital charges for hospital admission before 1 May 2007 or $450 per day for daily hospital charges for admission on or after 1 May 2007. This includes a maximum of $50 for doctor's daily attendance fees; and
-	a fixed limit per table of surgical operation as follows:

Maximum Amount Allowed

Table	A	B	C
1	$150	$200	$250
2	$350	$450	$600
3	$800	$1,000	$1,200
4	$1,400	$1,600	$1,800
5	$2,000	$2,200	$2,400
6	$2,800	$3,200	$3,600
7	$4,000	$4,500	$5,000

Footnote:
The maximum amount allowed includes surgeon, anaesthetist and facility fees.

The classification of operation into tables indicates the complexity of the operation.

The Medisave withdrawal for surgical procedures is subject to a maximum of 3 surgical procedures, involving not more than 2 anatomical systems and not more than 2 procedures within each system. Anatomical system refers to the body system.

For day surgery, Medisave can be used to cover up to $200 of the ward charges before 1 May 2007 or $300 per day for ward charges for admission on or after 1 May 2007, including a maximum of $30 for the doctor's daily attendance fees, as well as a fixed limit for operation ranging from $150 (Table 1A) to $5,000 (Table 7C) depending on the type of operation performed.

For psychiatric treatment, Medisave can be used to cover up to $150 per day for the daily hospital charges, including a maximum of $50 for the doctor's daily attendance fees subject to a maximum of $3,500 a year for admission before 1 January 2007 or $5,000 a year for admission on or after 1 January 2007.

For approved community hospitals, Medisave can be used to cover up to $150 per day for the daily hospital charges including a maximum of $30 for the doctor's daily attendance fees, subject to a maximum of $3,500 a year.

For approved convalescent hospitals, Medisave can be used to cover up to $50 per day for the daily hospital charges including a maximum of $30 for the doctor's daily attendance fees, subject to a maximum of $3,000 a year.

For approved day hospitals, Medisave can be used to cover up to $150 per day for the daily hospital charges including a maximum of $30 for the doctor's daily attendance fees, subject to a maximum of $3,000 a year.

For approved hospice, Medisave can be used to cover up to $160 per day for the daily hospital charges including a maximum of $30 for the doctor's daily attendance fees.

For Singapore Gamma Knife Centre, Medisave can be used to cover Gamma Knife treatment subject to a maximum of $7,500 per treatment and $150 for daily hospital charge before 1 December 2006 or $200 per day for daily hospital charge for admission on or after 1 December 2006 but before 1 May 2007.

For Radiosurgery treatment (namely Novalis radiosurgery treatment and Gamma Knife treatment) received in approved medical institutions, Medisave can be used to cover the Radiosurgery subject to a maximum of $7,500 per treatment and $300 per day for daily hospital charge for admission on or after 1 May 2007.

For Senior Citizens Healthcare Centres managed by Home Nursing Foundation, Medisave can be used to cover up to $20 per day for Day Care charges, subject to a maximum of $1,500 a year.

13. What if my hospital bill is more than what my Medisave can cover?

The Medisave withdrawal limits are generally sufficient to cover bills incurred in a B2/C ward of a restructured hospital. This restriction is necessary to prevent premature depletion of your Medisave, as your Medisave savings are to last through your lifetime. This is particularly important as elderly people may require more hospital stays and medical care than younger ones.

As such, for the part of the hospital bill that Medisave do not cover, you will need to pay in cash.

Maternity Cases

14. Can I withdraw Medisave to pay maternity expenses?

Medisave can be used to pay the delivery and pre-delivery medical expenses incurred for the delivery of the first four living children of the mother on or after 1 August 2004. Prior to 1 August 2004, Medisave can only be used to pay the delivery expenses incurred for delivery of the first three living children.

Medisave can also be used to pay the delivery and pre-delivery expenses incurred for the delivery of the fifth and subsequent child of the mother on or after 1 August 2004, if both parents have a combined Medisave balance of at least $15,000 in their Medisave accounts at the time of delivery.

The patient can use her own, spouse and/or immediate family members’ Medisave to pay the delivery and pre-delivery expenses. Immediate family members include patient’s parents and children.

The pre-delivery expenses have to be claimed under the Medisave Maternity Package. However, post-natal consultation fees cannot be claimed under Medisave.

15. What is the Medisave Maternity Package?

The Medisave Maternity Package is a package that allows Medisave to be used to pay expenses incurred during delivery and pre-delivery medical expenses such as consultations, ultrasounds, tests, medications etc. Prior to 1 August 2004, Medisave cannot be used for pre-delivery expenses.

16. How much Medisave can I use to pay maternity expenses?

Under the Medisave Maternity Package, you can withdraw Medisave for pre-delivery medical expenses as well as delivery expenses and daily hospital charges. Each Medisave Maternity Package has a different Medisave Withdrawal Limit, which depends on the delivery procedure (e.g. caesarean or vaginal delivery), to pay the pre-delivery medical expenses as well as the delivery expenses.

If you do not wish to claim for pre-delivery expenses, you can still withdraw Medisave for the delivery procedure and daily hospital charges. Each delivery procedure has a different withdrawal limit.

The withdrawal limits are shown below:

Type of Operation	Medisave Limits for Delivery Procedure ($)	Medisave Limits under the Medisave Maternity Package ($)
Vaginal Delivery (Normal)	450	900
Vaginal Delivery (Assisted)	800	1,250
Caesarean Section (Normal)	1,400	1,850
Caesarean Section (with Tubal Ligation)	1,600	2,050
Caesarean Section (with Hysterectomy)	2,400	2,850

Example for admission before 1 May 2007:

Delivery Procedure	No. of days of Hospitalisation	Medisave Withdrawal under the Medisave Maternity Package ($)	Medisave Withdrawals for Delivery Procedure ($)
Vaginal Delivery (Normal)	3	Up to $2,100 Which comprises of: - $1,200 for daily hospital charges; and - $900 for Medisave Maternity Package	Up to $1,650 Which comprises of: - $1,200 for daily hospital charges; and - $450 for Delivery Procedure
Caesarean Delivery (Normal)	4	Up to $3,450 Which comprises of: - $1,600 for daily hospital charges; and - $1,850 for Medisave Maternity Package	Up to $3,000 Which comprises of: - $1,600 for daily hospital charges; and - $1,400 for Delivery Procedure

Example for admission on or after 1 May 2007:

Delivery Procedure	No. of days of Hospitalisation	Medisave Withdrawal under the Medisave Maternity Package ($)	Medisave Withdrawals for Delivery Procedure ($)
Vaginal Delivery (Normal)	3	Up to $2,250 Which comprises of: - $1,350 for daily hospital charges; and - $900 for Medisave Maternity Package	Up to $1,800 Which comprises of: - $1,350 for daily hospital charges; and - $450 for Delivery Procedure
Caesarean Delivery (Normal)	4	Up to $3,650 Which comprises of: - $1,800 for daily hospital charges; and - $1,850 for Medisave Maternity Package	Up to $3,200 Which comprises of: - $1,800 for daily hospital charges; and - $1,400 for Delivery Procedure

17. How do I make a withdrawal from Medisave for pre-delivery medical expenses under the Medisave Maternity Package?

You will have to present the bills incurred for the pre-delivery medical care to the hospital where your newborn is delivered. The hospital will submit these bills, together with the bill for the delivery expenses, for a Medisave claim under the Medisave Maternity Package.

Outpatient Treatment

18. What outpatient treatments do Medisave cover and what are the withdrawal limits?

Medisave can be used to pay for the following outpatient treatments, subject to the withdrawal limits:

Type of outpatient treatment

Withdrawal limit

Hepatitis-B vaccination for patient aged :

- Below 12 years

- 12 years to 19 years

- 20 years & above

Course of 3 Jabs

$25

$35

$50

Booster

$10

$15

$20

Renal Dialysis

Note :

Only the patient's own Medisave can be used. In addition, the Medisave of the patient's parents may be used if the patient is aged 18 years or below.

With effect from 1 December 2004, the Medisave of the patient’s immediate family members may be used on a case-by-case basis, subject to eligibility conditions. The patient must be the Medisave Account holder's (a) spouse (b) parents (c) grandparent who is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident (d) child aged above 18 years.
More information on using your Medisave for your immediate family's renal dialysis is found in the application form.

$450 per month per patient

Chemotherapy*

$300 per weekly treatment cycle

$1,200 per 21/28 day treatment cycle

Radiotherapy* :
-	External Radiotherapy
-	Brachytherapy with external radiotherapy
-	Brachytherapy without external radiotherapy
-	Superficial X-ray
-	Stereotactic radiotherapy

$80 per treatment

$300 per treatment

$360 per treatment

$30 per treatment

$2,800 per treatment

Assisted Conception Procedure (for female patients only)

Note : Only the Medisave of the patient and her spouse can be used.

Use of Medisave for Assisted Conception Procedure (ACP) is up to 3 treatment cycles.

For ACP treatments received on or after 1 August 2004, the withdrawal limits are

1st withdrawal - $6,000
2nd withdrawal - $5,000
3rd withdrawal - $4,000

For ACP treatments received before 1 August 2004, the withdrawal limit is $4,000 per treatment cycle.

Approved Drugs for HIV/AIDS

Note :	Only the patient's own Medisave can be used. If the patient is aged 18 years or below, the Medisave of the patient's parents may also be used.

$550 per month per patient

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

$100 per treatment

Desferrioxamine Drug and Blood Transfusion for Thalassaemia*

$350 per month

Intravenous Antibiotic Infusion* at :
(1) Tan Tock Seng Hospital
(2) KK Women's and Children's Hospital

(3) Singapore General Hospital

$600 per weekly cycle, up to a maximum of $2,400 per year.

Rental of Devices for Long-Term Oxygen Therapy and Infant Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy*

$75 per month

Immunosuppressant Drugs for Organ Transplant*

$300 per month

Chronic Diseases:

Diabetes - Effective 1 October 2006
Hypertension - Effective 1 January 2007
Lipid disorders - Effective 1 January 2007
Stroke - Effective 1 January 2007
Asthma - Effective 1 April 2008
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - Effective 1 April 2008

$300 per Medisave Account Holder per year

MRI, CT scans and diagnostics related to neoplasm treatment - Effective 1 April 2008

$600 per patient per year

With effect from 1 February 2006, the Medisave of the patient’s non-immediate family members may be used for these outpatient treatments at restructured hospitals/ medical clinics, subject to eligibility conditions such as the patient must be a dependant of the active Medisave Account holder and has exhausted his own and his immediate family members’ Medisave accounts. There is no change to the prevailing withdrawal limits.

If you wish to find out if you are eligible to use your non-immediate family member's Medisave for the above approved subsidised outpatient treatments, you may wish to speak to the staff at the hospital's Business Office.

19. Can I use Medisave to pay for expenses for the removal of wisdom tooth?

You may use your Medisave Account savings to pay for expenses for removal of your wisdom tooth incurred at a participating private dental clinic under the Medisave Scheme, provided that it is a surgical procedure. You can use Medisave up to the following limits:

1) Day surgery	Up to a maximum of $200 to cover the daily hospital charges before 1 May 2007 or $300 per day for daily hospital charges for admission on or after 1 May 2007, including investigations, medicines and doctor's attendance fee of $30.
2) Operation	A fixed limit for operation ranging from $150 to $5,000 depending on the type of operations performed.