MediSave Limit 2026: MRI, CT Scan and PET Scan Claims – What Your ISP Actually Covers

Updated October 2026 • 10 min read

From 1 January 2026, the MediSave outpatient limit for CT and MRI scans was raised to $600 per year — double the previous $300 cap. But MediSave only covers part of the bill, and your Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) works very differently for inpatient versus outpatient scans. Here’s exactly what gets covered, what falls through the cracks, and the strategies that reduce out-of-pocket scan costs.

Not financial or medical advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data as at October 2026 unless noted.

In This Guide

1. What MRI, CT and PET Scans Cost in Singapore
2. Your MediSave CT/MRI Limit: Now $600 Per Year
3. How Your ISP Covers Inpatient Scans
4. The Outpatient Coverage Gap
5. PET Scans — Singapore’s Most Expensive Imaging Test
6. Public vs Private Hospital: Does It Change Your Coverage?
7. Frequently Asked Questions

What MRI, CT and PET Scans Cost in Singapore

The cost of a diagnostic scan in Singapore varies enormously between scan types, public versus private settings, and whether you qualify for MOH’s means-tested subsidies. CT scans are generally the most affordable, MRIs are pricier, and PET/CT scans are by far the most expensive imaging tests in Singapore.

At public hospitals, Singaporeans and PRs can access means-tested subsidies of 50–70% at Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs). Pioneer Generation patients receive an additional 50% off the subsidised rate; Merdeka Generation patients receive an additional 25% off.

Source: MOH Radiology Charges reference; CPF Board; provider websites. Subsidised estimates based on 50–70% means-tested subsidy. Individual costs vary by scan complexity and provider. 2026 estimates.

A single MRI at a public hospital SOC typically costs $140–$590 after subsidies — well within the $600 MediSave annual cap for most patients in a single-scan year. At a private hospital, the same scan can run $1,000–$2,500, and your MediSave cap covers less than half the bill.

Your MediSave CT/MRI Limit: Now $600 Per Year

Parliament confirmed in August 2026 (Q.2686) that from 1 January 2026, the MediSave outpatient withdrawal limit for CT and MRI scans was raised from $300 to $600 per year. MOH noted that this covers approximately 9 in 10 annual subsidised outpatient CT/MRI bills at public SOCs.

Who Can Claim and How

The $600 annual limit applies when your CT or MRI scan is ordered at an MOH-approved Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC), you are a Singaporean Citizen or Permanent Resident, and your MediSave account meets minimum balance requirements. Patients aged 60 and above benefit from an additional layer: Flexi-MediSave adds another $300 per year specifically for MRI scans, bringing the total potential MRI claim to $900 per year for seniors.

Source: MOH Parliamentary Answer Q.2686, August 2026; CPF Board Flexi-MediSave guidelines.

The $600 cap is a shared annual limit across all outpatient CT and MRI scans in that year. One CT scan of the abdomen could consume $300–$500 of your annual cap, leaving little for a subsequent scan. If you anticipate needing multiple imaging tests in a year, plan your scan sequence accordingly and discuss with your specialist whether some can be deferred.

Your MediSave account must maintain the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) as a minimum balance. For 2026, the BHS is $79,000 for members aged under 65. MediSave can still be used for approved outpatient treatments including CT/MRI scans at SOCs if your balance is below BHS, but stricter rules apply. For full MediSave payment rules, see our MediSave Payment Guide 2026.

How Your ISP Covers Inpatient Scans

When you are admitted to hospital as an inpatient, MRI and CT scans ordered by your admitting doctor are treated as part of your overall hospital bill — not as a separately capped item under the outpatient MediSave rules. This is where your Integrated Shield Plan does its heaviest lifting.

Standard ISP (Without Rider)

You pay a deductible (typically $1,500–$3,500 depending on your plan tier and ward class) plus 10% co-insurance on claimable costs. Your ISP covers inpatient diagnostic scans above that threshold, subject to plan sub-limits. Once your deductible is met in a hospitalisation episode, additional scans in the same episode are covered at the co-insurance rate only.

ISP With a Pre-2018 Rider

Legacy riders sold before MOH’s 2018 reforms can waive the co-insurance and deductible entirely. Existing policyholders retain these riders, meaning their inpatient scan costs are largely absorbed at near-zero out-of-pocket cost.

ISP With a New Co-Payment Rider (Post-2018)

Under MOH’s 2018 mandate, all new riders must include a minimum 5% co-payment on all claims, including inpatient scans. A $1,200 MRI as part of an inpatient episode means you pay at least $60 under the co-payment rider — but the ISP absorbs the remaining 95%.

Pre-Authorisation Is Critical for High-Cost Scans

High-cost imaging — particularly PET/CT scans, cardiac MRI, and specialised contrast protocols — often requires pre-authorisation from your ISP provider before the procedure. Failure to obtain pre-auth can result in your insurer settling only at the MediShield Life rate, leaving a larger gap bill for you to absorb out of pocket.

Off-panel caution: If you choose a hospital not listed on your ISP’s panel, your co-payment cap may not apply even with a rider. Always verify panel status before admission, especially for elective procedures. For the latest on what MediSave covers in different settings, see our guide to MediSave at Specialist Outpatient Clinics.

The Outpatient Coverage Gap

Here is the coverage gap most people discover too late: Integrated Shield Plans are designed primarily for inpatient and day-surgery coverage. Standard ISPs do not cover outpatient diagnostic imaging.

If your GP or specialist refers you for an outpatient MRI or CT scan — even for a serious condition like a suspected tumour, spinal issue, or cardiac abnormality — your ISP will generally not pay for it. You fund it through MediSave (up to $600/year for CT/MRI at approved SOCs), CHAS subsidies if eligible, and cash out of pocket for any amount exceeding the MediSave annual cap.

A Worked Example: Outpatient Lumbar Spine MRI

A lumbar spine MRI at a public hospital SOC (unsubsidised rate) typically costs $398–$788. With a 50% means-tested subsidy, your subsidised cost is approximately $199–$394. After your MediSave claim (up to the actual bill amount, within the $600 cap), your out-of-pocket cost at the subsidised rate is roughly $0 for most patients in a single-scan year.

At a private hospital or private radiology centre, the same MRI could cost $1,200–$2,500. After $600 in MediSave, you still pay $600–$1,900 out of pocket — and your ISP contributes nothing for an outpatient scan.

When the Gap Closes

If your condition is serious enough to warrant hospital admission, the scan shifts from outpatient to inpatient billing, and your ISP takes over. This is not a cost-arbitrage strategy, but it’s important to understand: once admitted, your diagnostic scans are bundled into the inpatient bill that your ISP covers. For a complete picture of MediSave’s coverage scope, our MediSave Approved Treatments 2026 guide covers what is and is not claimable.

PET Scans — Singapore’s Most Expensive Imaging Test

A PET/CT scan (Positron Emission Tomography combined with CT imaging) is the most expensive standard imaging test in Singapore. Costs range from approximately $2,310 to $5,000+ depending on the hospital, scan protocol, and whether intravenous contrast is used. Whole-body PET/CT scans used for cancer staging, treatment monitoring, and metastasis detection sit at the higher end of this range.

PET Scans Are NOT Covered by the $600 CT/MRI MediSave Limit

The $600 annual MediSave outpatient limit applies specifically to CT and MRI scans only, as confirmed by the MOH parliamentary answer (Q.2686, August 2026). PET scans fall under a separate MediSave category and are not subject to the same $600 cap.

For cancer patients, PET scans are claimable under MediSave’s cancer treatment guidelines, which operate separately from the outpatient imaging cap and are more generous. If you are actively receiving cancer treatment at an approved institution, MediSave contributions toward PET scan costs are governed by the cancer-related treatment withdrawal rules. For a complete breakdown of MediSave coverage for cancer-related scans, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and approved cancer drugs, see our guide on using MediSave for cancer treatment in Singapore.

PET Scans and Your ISP During Hospitalisation

If your oncologist orders a PET/CT scan during a hospitalisation episode, it is treated as an inpatient procedure and is bundled into your overall inpatient bill. Your ISP will cover it subject to your deductible, co-insurance, and any plan sub-limits. Pre-authorisation is strongly recommended for PET/CT scans — most ISP providers require it due to the high cost. Failing to get pre-auth before a $3,000+ PET scan could mean your insurer settles only at the MediShield Life rate, leaving you with a significant gap payment.

Public vs Private Hospital: Does It Change Your Coverage?

Yes, significantly. Where you get your scan affects cost, subsidy eligibility, MediSave claimability, and ISP coverage rules all at once. Here is the side-by-side breakdown:

Source: CPF Board; MOH Parliamentary Answer Q.2686 (Aug 2026); provider websites. ISP coverage subject to individual plan terms and conditions.

For most Singaporeans, the most cost-effective strategy for non-urgent outpatient scans is straightforward: get a polyclinic referral to a public hospital SOC (triggering the subsidised rate), use your MediSave (up to $600/year for CT/MRI), and pay any remaining balance out of pocket — typically zero for a single subsidised scan within the annual MediSave cap.

For urgent cases or complex multi-scan workups, verify your ISP’s panel status before choosing a hospital, and always call your insurer’s pre-authorisation hotline before high-cost procedures. Planning for future healthcare costs in retirement? Our Singapore retirement planning calculator helps you factor in ISP premiums, MediSave drawdowns, and projected medical expenses over your lifetime.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, medical, or insurance advice. MediSave rules, ISP terms, and hospital charges change frequently. Always verify current limits with CPF Board, MOH, and your insurance provider before making healthcare decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions