CPF MediSave Account: How It Works & What You Can Use It For (2026)

Contribution rates, withdrawal limits, Basic Healthcare Sum, and tips to make your MediSave work harder for you.

CPF MediSave is your personal healthcare savings account within the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system. Every working Singaporean and PR contributes between 8% and 10.5% of their monthly salary into MediSave, which you can use to pay for hospitalisation, MediShield Life premiums, Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) premiums, and approved outpatient treatments. The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) for 2026 is $79,000 — the maximum you can hold in MediSave before excess contributions flow to other CPF accounts.

Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data verified as at 5 September 2026. Source: CPF Board, Ministry of Health.

What Is CPF MediSave?

MediSave is the healthcare savings pillar of Singapore’s CPF system. It’s one of three main CPF accounts — alongside the Ordinary Account (OA) and Retirement Account (RA) — and it’s specifically designed for healthcare expenses.

Think of it as a healthcare emergency fund that the government helps you build automatically. Every month, a portion of your CPF contributions flows directly into MediSave. You can’t touch it as cash, but it’s available the moment you need it for hospital bills, insurance premiums, or approved outpatient treatments.

Unlike your OA, which you can use for housing and investments, MediSave is ring-fenced. This ensures Singaporeans have dedicated healthcare savings throughout their working life and into retirement.

How Much Goes Into Your MediSave?

According to the CPF Board, you contribute between 8% and 10.5% of your monthly salary into MediSave. The exact amount depends on your age group. Younger workers contribute 8%, while those in their 40s and 50s contribute slightly more.

These contributions come from your combined employer and employee CPF contributions. The CPF monthly salary ceiling is $6,800 — so if you earn more than that, only the first $6,800 is subject to CPF.

Source: CPF Board | CPF allocation rates from January 2026. Refer to CPF Board’s official allocation table for your exact rate.

Practical example: If you’re 38 years old earning $5,000/month, roughly 9% (or $450) flows into your MediSave every month. Over a year, that’s $5,400 — all earning 4% interest.

Source: CPF Board, January 2026. Always verify at cpf.gov.sg.

Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) 2026: $79,000

The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is the cap on how much you can hold in your MediSave Account. For 2026, it has been raised to $79,000 — up from $75,500 in 2025.

Here’s what happens once you hit the BHS:

• Excess MediSave contributions automatically flow into your Retirement Account (RA), or your Ordinary Account if your RA is already at the Full Retirement Sum.
• You can still withdraw from MediSave for approved healthcare expenses — even if your balance is below the BHS.
• When you turn 65, your BHS is fixed for life. If you turned 65 in 2026, your BHS is locked at $79,000.

MediSave Interest Rate: 4% Per Year

Your MediSave earns 4% per annum — the same as the Special Account and Retirement Account. This is significantly higher than what any Singapore bank offers on a savings account.

The 4% is a floor rate, guaranteed by the government. The actual rate is pegged to the 12-month average yield of 10-year Singapore Government Securities (10YSGS) plus 1%, but it won’t fall below 4%.

To put this in perspective: $50,000 in MediSave earns about $2,000 in interest a year — available for future healthcare bills.

What Can You Use CPF MediSave For?

MediSave covers a wide range of healthcare expenses. Here are the main categories:

1. Hospitalisation

This is the core use case. You can use MediSave to pay for hospitalisation at any approved Singapore hospital — including restructured and private hospitals. For private hospital stays, you’ll likely need an Integrated Shield Plan to cover the gap above what MediShield Life pays.

2. MediShield Life & ISP Premiums

Your MediShield Life premiums are automatically deducted from MediSave. If you have an Integrated Shield Plan (ISP), the basic plan component can also be paid from MediSave. However, riders (the top-up covering deductibles and co-insurance) must be paid in cash — a key point when budgeting your healthcare costs.

3. Outpatient Treatments

From 1 January 2026, you can use up to $600 per year for outpatient scans — doubled from the previous $300 limit. Approved uses also include chronic disease management under CDMP and selected vaccinations.

4. Flexi-MediSave (Age 65+)

If you’re 65 or older, Flexi-MediSave lets you use up to $400 per year at CHAS-approved GP clinics and polyclinics. This was increased from $300 from 1 October 2025.

5. Maternity and Delivery

MediSave can be used for delivery costs, prenatal scans, and postnatal care — making it a valuable resource for young families planning for children.

MediSave Withdrawal Limits (2026)

Withdrawal limits vary by the type of medical use. Here’s the full picture for 2026:

Source: CPF Board, Ministry of Health | Data as at September 2026. Verify current limits at CPF Board.

How to Top Up Your MediSave

You can voluntarily top up your MediSave in cash — and there are two good reasons to do so.

Tax relief: Cash top-ups qualify for personal income tax relief of up to $8,000 per year (combined with top-ups to your own CPF accounts). This makes every dollar you put in work harder.

MMSS matching (2026–2030): If you’re a Singapore Citizen aged 55 to 70 with lower MediSave savings, the government will match every dollar you voluntarily top up — up to $1,000 per year. That’s a 100% return before interest. If you’re eligible, this should be one of your first financial moves each year.

You can top up via the CPF website, PayNow, or through your employer. To understand how your MediSave interacts with your hospitalisation claims, read our guide to MediShield Life deductibles.

Tips to Maximise Your CPF MediSave

• Use outpatient scan limits annually. The $600/year limit resets each year — don’t let it go to waste if you have approved scans pending.
• Know your BHS. Once you hit $79,000, excess contributions go to OA or RA. Plan accordingly so you’re not surprised by the overflow.
• Pair MediSave with a good ISP rider (in cash). MediSave pays basic plan premiums; riders must be in cash. Budget separately. See our ISP premium by age guide for estimated costs.
• If eligible, grab the MMSS match first. A 100% government match on up to $1,000 is hard to beat as a guaranteed return.
• Check what your MediShield Life covers. Understanding the deductibles and co-insurance helps you estimate true out-of-pocket costs before a hospital stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

CPF MediSave is one of Singapore’s most powerful healthcare tools — and most people underutilise it. At 4% interest and a 2026 BHS of $79,000, your MediSave can quietly compound into a substantial healthcare safety net by retirement.

The key is to understand your withdrawal limits, use your annual outpatient scan allowance, and — if you’re eligible — grab the MMSS matching benefit before the scheme ends in 2030.

For a complete picture of your hospitalisation coverage, make sure your MediSave works together with a solid Integrated Shield Plan. The plan pays what MediSave can’t — and together, they form your full healthcare safety net.

Disclaimer: Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Always refer to the CPF Board and MOH for current limits and BHS figures. Data verified as at 5 September 2026.