Medisave is your CPF healthcare savings account — and it can pay directly for hospital stays, surgery, and your Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) premium. In 2026, the daily hospitalization limit is $1,130 for the first two days, then $400 from day three onwards. Surgery claims range from $240 to $5,290 based on complexity. Your ISP uses Medisave too, via age-banded withdrawal limits of $300 to $900 per year.

Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data verified as at 28 August 2026 unless noted. Always confirm current limits with CPF Board or your insurer.

What Is Medisave and Why Does It Matter for Your Hospital Bills?

Medisave is the healthcare component of your CPF account. Every working Singaporean and Permanent Resident contributes to it automatically — between 8% and 10.5% of monthly wages, depending on your age. In 2026, the Ordinary Wage ceiling is $8,000, so your monthly Medisave contribution can be substantial.

The account earns a guaranteed 4% interest per year. Your balance is capped at the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) — $79,000 in 2026. Once you hit that cap, additional contributions overflow into your Ordinary Account (or Retirement Account if you’re 55+).

Most Singaporeans know Medisave exists. Fewer know exactly how much of a hospital bill it actually covers. That gap is what this guide fills. For a more complete overview of the account itself, see our complete Medisave guide for Singapore 2026.

Medisave Daily Hospitalization Limits 2026

When you’re admitted to hospital, Medisave doesn’t cover your entire bill automatically. It pays up to specific daily limits — and those limits depend on which type of ward you’re in and how long you stay.

Here’s how the limits break down by ward class and situation:

Source: CPF Board & Ministry of Health (MOH), August 2026

So if you spend five days in a Class A ward, your Medisave covers $1,130 × 2 = $2,260 for the first two days, then $400 × 3 = $1,200 for days three to five — a total of $3,460. Anything above that comes from your Integrated Shield Plan, cash, or co-payment.

These limits apply in addition to your Surgical Procedures (TOSP) claim. Both run concurrently during a hospitalization that includes surgery.

Medisave for Surgery — How the Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP) Works

Every surgery has a fixed Medisave claim limit set by MOH’s Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). The table divides procedures into complexity tiers — Table 1A (simplest) to Table 7 (most complex). The more complex the surgery, the higher the Medisave claim limit.

Think of the TOSP as Medisave’s surgical “price list.” Your surgeon codes your procedure, that code maps to a tier, and that tier determines how much Medisave can contribute toward the surgeon’s fee and operating theatre charges.

Source: MOH Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP), 2026

Practical example: You need a knee arthroscopy (Table 3, $900 Medisave claim). You’re in a private hospital for three days. Your Medisave covers $1,130 + $1,130 + $400 = $2,660 in daily charges, plus $900 for the surgery — a total of $3,560 in Medisave claims. The balance is covered by your ISP or paid out of pocket.

Here’s the key point: Medisave sets the floor. Your Integrated Shield Plan comparison guide shows how each insurer covers the gap above these Medisave limits for private or Class A care.

How Integrated Shield Plans Work With Your Medisave

MediShield Life is Singapore’s basic hospitalization insurance — built into every CPF account. It covers Class B2 or C ward treatment in restructured hospitals. If you want Class B1, A, or private hospital coverage, you upgrade with an Integrated Shield Plan (ISP).

Your ISP premium has two components:

• MediShield Life base premium — paid fully from Medisave
• Additional insurer premium — the private top-up, also paid from Medisave up to the Additional Withdrawal Limit (AWL)

The AWL is age-banded because older Singaporeans pay higher premiums. Here’s how it works in 2026:

If your ISP premium exceeds the combined MediShield Life + AWL limit for your age, you pay the excess in cash. This is where choosing the right ISP tier matters — see our guide on the Medisave for ISP premium 2026 to see exactly how much Medisave covers for each insurer’s plan.

To plan your long-term healthcare costs alongside retirement, use our Singapore retirement calculator.

April 2026 Rider Changes — What Changed and How Medisave Is Affected

MOH made significant changes to ISP riders from 1 April 2026. These are the biggest reforms to private health insurance in years. Here’s what you need to know.

Old riders (purchased before 27 November 2025): Your existing terms are preserved. Your rider still covers the deductible and your co-payment cap stays at $3,000 per year. Nothing changes for you unless you voluntarily switch plans.

New riders (sold from 1 April 2026 onwards): Riders can no longer cover the deductible. You must pay this yourself before your ISP kicks in.

• Private hospital deductible: $3,500/year
• Class A ward deductible: $2,000/year
• Co-payment cap raised from $3,000 to $6,000/year
• New rider premiums are approximately 30% lower in exchange for the higher out-of-pocket costs

The silver lining: you can now use Medisave to pay the deductible, within applicable withdrawal limits. Previously, the deductible was covered by the rider — so Medisave wasn’t needed for that component. Now it can be.

The MOH rationale is to reduce moral hazard — when insurance covers everything, people choose more expensive options unnecessarily. By putting some skin in the game, you’re incentivised to weigh up whether that $800 private specialist consultation is really needed. For a detailed breakdown by insurer, see our Singlife Shield Plan 2026 guide or the Prudential PRUShield 2026 guide.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim Medisave After Hospitalisation

The claiming process is largely automatic — the hospital submits the Medisave claim on your behalf at discharge. But knowing the steps helps you verify your bill and avoid surprises.

1. Admission: Provide your NRIC at the hospital front desk. The hospital checks your Medisave balance and the applicable limits for your ward class and procedure.
2. During stay: You may be asked for a cash deposit for any amount likely to exceed your Medisave and ISP coverage. Keep receipts for all charges.
3. Discharge: The hospital calculates what Medisave covers, what your ISP covers, and what you owe in cash. Review this breakdown carefully before signing.
4. CPF Medisave deduction: The claim is submitted electronically. You can check the deduction on your CPF Online Services portal within a few days.
5. ISP reimbursement: If your ISP covers the balance, your insurer typically reimburses directly to the hospital (cashless claim) or to you if you paid upfront. Contact your insurer within 30 days of discharge to initiate any outstanding claims.

If you’re unsure how to navigate the process, use the Endowus referral code to explore Endowus Cash Plus or similar platforms that help you build liquidity alongside your CPF savings — so you always have cash available for co-payments and deductibles.

Other Medisave Uses in 2026 — Quick Reference

Medisave isn’t just for hospital bills. Here’s a brief overview of the other approved uses updated for 2026:

• Outpatient scans: From January 2026, the annual withdrawal limit for approved outpatient scans doubled from $300 to $600
• Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP): Up to $500/year for standard chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, etc.); up to $700/year for complex cases
• Flexi-Medisave: Singaporeans aged 65+ can use up to $200/year for approved outpatient treatments at CHAS GPs and polyclinics
• Maternity: Medisave Maternity Package (MMP) covers delivery and approved pre-delivery expenses
• Family members: You can use your Medisave for an immediate family member’s approved medical expenses (same withdrawal limits apply)

For a detailed breakdown of all withdrawal limits, check our Medisave limit 2026 guide.