MediSave Payment Guide 2026: How to Pay Hospital & Medical Bills

A step-by-step guide to using your CPF MediSave account for hospital bills, ISP premiums, day surgery, and outpatient treatments in Singapore.

MediSave payment in Singapore means using your CPF MediSave account to pay approved medical expenses — including hospitalisation, day surgery, selected outpatient treatments, and insurance premiums — without touching cash. Your hospital or clinic claims directly from the CPF Board, so you only pay the difference (if any) out of pocket. Data verified as at September 2026.

Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Always verify current limits at CPF Board’s official website before making decisions.

What Is MediSave Payment?

MediSave is one of the three CPF accounts every working Singaporean and Permanent Resident has. Think of it as a ring-fenced healthcare savings account — money goes in automatically every month from your salary contributions, and it earns a guaranteed 4% interest per year.

Unlike cash, MediSave cannot be withdrawn freely. Instead, it can only be used for approved medical expenses as set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and CPF Board. The good news: for most hospital admissions, the payment happens automatically — you do not need to fill in forms or manually transfer money.

The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) for 2026 is S$79,000 for members aged 65 and below. Any MediSave balance above the BHS flows into your Special Account (or Retirement Account if you are 55 and above). This ensures you always maintain a healthcare reserve.

How MediSave Payment Works

The payment process differs slightly depending on where you receive treatment:

At a Public Restructured Hospital (e.g. SGH, TTSH, NUH)

1. You are admitted, receive treatment, and are discharged.
2. The hospital’s billing department files a MediSave claim to the CPF Board on your behalf.
3. CPF Board approves and transfers funds directly to the hospital.
4. You pay only the remaining cash shortfall (if any) at discharge.
5. A MediSave transaction statement is sent to your registered address or CPF online portal.

At a Private Hospital or Clinic

1. At admission, you sign a MediSave authorisation form.
2. After discharge, the hospital files the claim to CPF Board.
3. If the bill exceeds the MediSave withdrawal limit, you pay the balance in cash or by card.
4. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days.

For Outpatient Treatments

For eligible outpatient treatments (chronic disease management, approved scans, vaccinations), the clinic submits the claim electronically at the point of consultation. You pay any co-payment and the MediSave portion is deducted automatically.

What Can You Pay with MediSave?

Source: CPF Board, MOH. September 2026.

MediSave Withdrawal Limits 2026

MediSave is not unlimited — each category of expense has a cap. Understanding these limits helps you plan for any out-of-pocket difference.

ISP Premium Annual Withdrawal Limits by Age

The additional ISP premium (the top-up above MediShield Life) is subject to an Annual Withdrawal Limit (AWL) that varies with your age:

Source: CPF Board / MOH. The above AWL bands are a guide — exact limits may differ; always verify at cpf.gov.sg. September 2026.

If your ISP premium exceeds the AWL, the difference must be paid in cash. This is increasingly common for older Singaporeans on premium-heavy plans — see our MediSave cap and ISP premiums guide for a detailed breakdown.

Outpatient Scan Limit (Updated Jan 2026)

From 1 January 2026, MOH doubled the MediSave annual withdrawal limit for approved outpatient scans from S$300 to S$600 per year. This covers scans such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs at approved public institutions under the recommended outpatient scan scheme.

Paying ISP Premiums with MediSave

Your Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) is made up of two components: the base MediShield Life premium (fully paid by MediSave) and the additional private insurance rider premium (partly paid by MediSave up to the AWL, with any excess in cash).

Payments are automatic — your insurer claims directly from your MediSave account each year at renewal. You do not need to take any action. However, if your MediSave balance is insufficient or your ISP premium exceeds the AWL, your insurer will bill the cash shortfall to your registered payment method.

If you are choosing between plans, our best Integrated Shield Plan comparison for 2026 walks through which plans offer the best MediSave-to-cash ratio at each age band.

Using MediSave for Family Members

You can use your MediSave to pay for approved medical expenses of your immediate family members, even if they have their own MediSave accounts. Eligible family members include your spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and parents-in-law (all must be Singapore Citizens or PRs).

This is particularly useful when a family member’s MediSave balance is insufficient to cover a large hospital bill — you can top up from your own account. Each family member’s withdrawal still counts against their individual limits, but you can cover the shortfall.

Note: You cannot use MediSave for siblings or other extended family. You also cannot use your children’s MediSave to pay your bills.

For a broader overview of what MediSave covers and how contributions work, see our CPF MediSave account guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use MediSave to pay GP clinic bills?

Generally no — routine GP consultation fees cannot be paid with MediSave. The exception is if your GP is a participating provider under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and you are being treated for a covered chronic condition.

What happens if my MediSave runs out?

If your MediSave balance is zero, you pay all approved medical expenses in cash or by card. Your MediSave will replenish as long as you continue working and making CPF contributions. You can also top up your own MediSave voluntarily (up to the BHS of S$79,000 in 2026).

Can I withdraw MediSave as cash?

No. MediSave cannot be withdrawn as cash at any age. It can only be used for approved medical expenses. Do not confuse this with the CPF Ordinary Account (OA) or Special Account (SA), which have different rules.

How do I check my MediSave transaction history?

Log in to my CPF Online Services at cpf.gov.sg. Under “My Statement”, you can see all MediSave debits including hospital payments, insurance premium deductions, and outpatient claims. Statements are also mailed annually.

Do I need to apply to use MediSave for a hospital bill?

At public restructured hospitals (SGH, NUH, TTSH, etc.), the hospital claims MediSave automatically on your behalf. At private hospitals, you will sign a MediSave authorisation form at admission. No separate CPF application is needed.

Can I use MediSave to pay for dental treatment?

Only for specific dental procedures such as oral and maxillofacial surgery when performed in a hospital as an inpatient procedure. Routine dental check-ups, fillings, scaling, and polishing cannot be paid with MediSave.

What is Flexi-MediSave?

Flexi-MediSave allows Singapore Citizens and PRs aged 60 and above to use up to S$400 per year (for themselves and their spouse) for approved outpatient treatments at participating polyclinics and GP clinics, even when the treatment is not under CDMP.