MediSave Singapore: Complete 2026 Guide
Contributions, Withdrawal Limits, ISP Premiums & Basic Healthcare Sum Explained
MediSave is a mandatory savings account within Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) system that helps you pay for hospitalisation, approved medical procedures, and Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) premiums. Every working Singapore citizen and Permanent Resident contributes monthly to MediSave through their CPF contributions. As of 2026, the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) — the maximum amount that can stay in your MediSave — is $79,000. Amounts above the BHS flow into your Retirement Account or Special Account.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data verified against MOH, CPF Board, and published sources as at September 2026.
- MediSave is your CPF healthcare savings account — contributions are automatic every month.
- BHS for 2026 is $79,000. Your MediSave earns 4% interest per year.
- You can use MediSave for hospitalisation ($1,130/day first 2 days, $400/day after) and for your ISP base premium (up to $2,600/year depending on age).
What Is MediSave?
MediSave is one of three CPF accounts every Singapore employee has — alongside the Ordinary Account (OA) and Special Account (SA). It is ring-fenced purely for healthcare. You cannot invest it, withdraw it freely, or spend it on anything outside approved medical expenses.
Here is how MediSave fits into the broader CPF picture:
| CPF Account | Purpose | Interest Rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Account (OA) | Housing, education, investments | 2.5% p.a. |
| Special Account (SA) | Retirement savings | 4% p.a. |
| MediSave Account (MA) | Healthcare & insurance premiums | 4% p.a. |
Source: CPF Board, September 2026. Verify current rates at cpf.gov.sg.
MediSave is funded by your monthly CPF contributions. The exact percentage of each month’s contribution that goes to your MediSave depends on your age — younger workers contribute a smaller share (since they need more for housing), while older workers near retirement direct a larger share to MediSave. Check CPF Board’s contribution rate table for the precise figures by age.
Want to see how MediSave connects to your overall CPF investment strategy? Our full CPF guide walks through how your three accounts work together over a career.
Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) 2026: $79,000
The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is the cap on how much can stay in your MediSave account. For 2026, it is set at $79,000. Amounts above this cap are automatically transferred to your Special Account (if you are below 55) or Retirement Account (if you are 55 and above).
The BHS increases every year in line with long-term MediSave expense growth. Once you turn 65, your BHS is fixed at the prevailing amount — it will not increase further for you personally. This ensures older Singaporeans can clearly plan their healthcare reserve.
Why does the BHS matter? Two reasons:
- Premium payment buffer. A fully-funded MediSave account means decades of ISP premium payments — even without further CPF contributions. For retirees, this is critical.
- Excess flows to retirement savings. Hitting the BHS is actually a good sign — it means your MediSave is “topped off” and surplus contributions go toward your retirement nest egg.
For a detailed breakdown of how the BHS has changed year on year and what it means for your ISP premiums, see our MediSave limit 2026 guide.
MediSave Interest Rate: 4% Per Year
Your MediSave account earns 4% per annum — the same rate as the Special Account. This is guaranteed by the Singapore government as a floor rate. In practice, it means your MediSave grows meaningfully over time, especially if you start working young.
Here’s a simple illustration: if you have $20,000 in MediSave today, you earn $800 in interest this year alone. Over 10 years (compounding), that same $20,000 grows to approximately $29,600 — even without any new contributions.
Tip: MediSave interest is added on 1 January each year
Interest is calculated on the lowest balance in each month and credited at year-end. Keeping a healthy MediSave balance is one of the safest, government-guaranteed returns available to Singapore residents.
Using MediSave for Hospitalisation
When you are admitted to a hospital in Singapore, MediSave can cover a significant part of your bill. The withdrawal limits depend on how long you are hospitalised and the type of procedure.
For ordinary ward stays:
- Day 1 and Day 2: Up to $1,130 per day from MediSave
- Day 3 onwards: Up to $400 per day
For approved day surgeries (e.g. cataract, laparoscopic procedures), MediSave can cover up to $300 per procedure. For specific outpatient treatments like chemotherapy, dialysis, and radiation therapy, different limits apply — check MOH’s website for the current schedule.
Source: MOH MediSave withdrawal limits, September 2026
MediSave can also be used to pay your ISP deductible and co-insurance, subject to the normal hospitalisation withdrawal limits above. This is an important distinction — many people don’t realise that after the April 2026 rider changes (which stopped riders from covering the deductible), MediSave can still step in to cover that deductible amount during an actual hospitalisation claim.
Using MediSave for ISP Premiums
Every Singaporean should have an Integrated Shield Plan on top of their MediShield Life base coverage. And MediSave can help pay for your ISP base premium — but only up to a yearly limit called the Additional Withdrawal Limit (AWL).
Important: you cannot use MediSave for your rider premium. Riders must be paid in cash.
Source: MOH / CPF Board Additional Withdrawal Limits, September 2026
| Age Next Birthday | MediSave Withdrawal Limit / Year |
|---|---|
| 1 – 20 | $300 |
| 21 – 30 | $600 |
| 31 – 40 | $900 |
| 41 – 50 | $1,200 |
| 51 – 60 | $1,800 |
| 61 – 65 | $2,160 |
| 66 and above | $2,600 |
Source: MOH / CPF Board, September 2026. Always verify at MOH’s ISP page as limits are updated periodically.
For most people in their 30s and 40s on a standard Class A ISP plan, MediSave covers a meaningful chunk of the annual premium. To see how these limits interact with actual ISP premium costs at different ages, check our ISP premium by age 2026 guide.
If you want to grow a separate cash buffer for rider premiums and potential co-payments, platforms like Syfe or Endowus offer low-cost investment options to build a healthcare reserve over time.
How to Check Your MediSave Balance
Checking your MediSave balance is simple. You have three options:
1. CPF website (my.cpf.gov.sg)
Log in with your Singpass at my.cpf.gov.sg. Under “My Account”, you will see your OA, SA, and MediSave balances broken down clearly, along with your transaction history and accrued interest.
2. CPF mobile app
Download the official CPF app from the App Store or Google Play. Log in with Singpass. Your MediSave balance appears on the home dashboard. You can also view your monthly contribution history.
3. CPF annual statement
CPF sends an annual statement every January summarising all account balances and interest earned. It is sent by post or digitally to your Singpass inbox. It also shows the interest credited to your MediSave for the previous year.
Knowing your MediSave balance helps you plan for upcoming ISP renewals and potential hospitalisation costs. Pair it with our Singapore retirement planning calculator to model how your healthcare costs might evolve over the decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MediSave Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) for 2026?
How much interest does MediSave earn?
Can I withdraw money from my MediSave?
Can I use MediSave to pay my ISP rider premium?
What happens to my MediSave when I retire?
How much MediSave can I use per year for my ISP?
Can PRs use MediSave for hospitalisation and ISP?
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This article was researched with the help of AI. While we strive to keep all information accurate and up to date, there may be errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us.
