Claim processes are often lengthy and complex, which is off-putting for many of us. However, when it comes to MediSave withdrawals, it only takes 1 step! Simply submit a form and start claiming.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on which polyclinic services are claimable and a step-by-step breakdown on how you can start paying with MediSave at polyclinics.
What can MediSave be used for?
MediSave is a national savings scheme that helps Singaporeans set aside a portion of their income to partially offset the financial burden when they or their approved dependents need medical care.
Compared to other subsidies that only cover specific conditions, MediSave is much more flexible and can be used for a variety of healthcare services and medical conditions, including acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient treatments, and end-of-life care. You may be surprised to learn that MediSave can be used to pay for insurance premiums such as MediShield Life, ElderShield, and CareShield Life as well!
Read our article on how to use MediSave to cover outpatient costs and discover the full range of outpatient services that MediSave can be used for.
Types of polyclinic services covered by MediSave
MediSave can be used to cover selected medical services at various healthcare facilities, including polyclinics. Healthcare services at polyclinics are already highly subsidised by the government, but MediSave makes it even more affordable and accessible.
However, do take note that not all conditions and polyclinic services are MediSave-claimable. Here, we discuss the medical conditions and services that are covered by MediSave.
Chronic conditions covered by MediSave
Under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), MediSave can be used to cover the cost of treatment for 20 chronic diseases:
Metabolic conditions:
Respiratory conditions:
Mental health conditions:
Other conditions:
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriasis
- Nephrosis/nephritis
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Epilepsy
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
For individuals with chronic conditions, MediSave can be used to cover the following polyclinic services:
- Consultations
- Medication
- Laboratory tests
Each individual can use up to $500 per year for the treatment of these chronic conditions, or up to $700 per year for complex conditions. However, do note that each MediSave claim will be subject to a 15% co-payment in cash.
Besides MediSave, individuals under the CDMP who hold a CHAS, Pioneer Generation (PG) and/or Merdeka Generation (MG) card will be able to access further government subsidies for chronic disease management.
Vaccinations
MediSave covers vaccinations that are under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS). This includes:
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Varicella
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) for pregnant women
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for females between 9-27 years old
- Pneumococcal vaccination for recommended risk groups
Dental
Certain dental surgical procedures available at polyclinics are also MediSave-claimable, including:
- Removal of roots
- Implants
- Bone graft surgery
- Soft tissue graft
- Dislocation, re-implantation and transplantation
- Incision and drainage
Outpatient scans
Individuals who require a scan at Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs) or polyclinics for diagnosis or treatment can use up to $300 of their MediSave per year. This only applies to CT and MRI scans, and not X-rays.
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Other services that MediSave covers
Besides medical services provided at polyclinics, you can also use MediSave at other healthcare institutions for both yourself and your loved ones.
Here are some of the healthcare services that you can claim with your MediSave, not limited to the polyclinic setting:
Children’s health
Parents will be glad to hear that MediSave can be used for your children’s treatment, including health screenings and vaccinations under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS).
Newborn health screening are usually conducted at the hospital before discharge and include:
- Hearing
- G6P deficiency
- Metabolic
- Thyroid function
All vaccinations under the NCIS are MediSave-claimable, including:
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal (PCV) for children below the age of 5
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for females between 9-27 years old
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap)
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Oral Poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV)
- Inactivated Poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Influenza
- Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV23)
- 5-in-1 combination vaccination covering Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae type B, Inactivated Poliomyelitis
- 6-in-1 combination vaccination covering Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae type B, Inactivated Poliomyelitis and Hepatitis B vaccinations
Flexi-MediSave
Individuals aged 60 years and above can use up to $300 per year for outpatient medical treatments at polyclinics, SOCs at public hospitals, and selected CHAS GPs.
Under the flexi-MediSave scheme, consultation fees, medical services, medication, and tests necessary for diagnosis and treatment as ordered by your doctor are claimable. This excludes dental treatment.
Do note that for this scheme, you can only use your own MediSave, or a spouse’s who is aged 60 and above.
Long-term treatment
Medical bills for prolonged, regular treatment can be costly over time. Thankfully, many of them are covered by MediSave, such as cancer treatments and renal dialysis.
Cancer treatment
Chemotherapy treatment at SOCs are MediSave-claimable up to $1,200 per month per individual. Radiotherapy treatments are limited to $80-$2,800 per treatment depending on the type of radiotherapy. Diagnostics, including MRI/CT scans and tests, are capped at $600 per annum per patient.
For outpatient radiosurgery, the claimable limit is $7,550 per treatment course and $300 per day for daily hospital charges.
Renal dialysis
Individuals with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease will require dialysis on a regular basis at approved medical centres or at home. For renal dialysis treatment, MediSave covers up to $450 per month per person.
Do note that you will only be able to use your own MediSave for this expense, with the exception of those aged 21 and below, who will be able to use their parents’ MediSave.
Outpatient intravenous antibiotic treatment
MediSave covers up to $600 per weekly cycle and up to $2,400 per year of the cost of outpatient intravenous antibiotic treatment.
Other outpatient treatments
Besides the services listed above, the following outpatient treatments are also MediSave-claimable:
- Medication for HIV/AIDS
- Desferrioxamine drug and blood transfusion for thalassaemia
- Immuno-suppressant drugs organ transplant
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Devices for long-term oxygen therapy and infant continuous positive airway pressure therapy
- Long-term parenteral nutrition
- Bone marrow transplant
Assisted Conception Procedures (ACP)
Hopeful parents will be able to use MediSave for Assisted Conception Procedures (ACPs) at both public and private hospitals, including SOCs. The claimable limit is $6,000, $5,000 and $4,000 for the first, second and third (and subsequent) treatment cycles, with a lifetime limit of $15,000 per individual.
Who can you use your MediSave for?
Besides personal medical expenses, you may be able to use your MediSave to cover the medical costs of approved dependants. This allows you to support loved ones who may not have enough in their MediSave.
Approved dependants refer to any of the following:
- Spouse
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Sibling
- Child
To use MediSave for a grandparent or sibling, they have to be a Singaporean Citizen or Permanent Resident, but a spouse, child or parent can be of any nationality.
Do note that while grandchildren can use their MediSave to cover the cost of their grandparents’ medical care, grandparents are strictly not allowed to use their MediSave for their grandchildren’s bills.
How to pay using MediSave at polyclinics?
Paying with MediSave is a fuss-free process. Simply submit the MediSave Claims Authorisation Form (MCAF) available at polyclinics or online, and you will be able to start using MediSave for co-payment immediately.
There are 2 MediSave withdrawal forms available:
- Those visiting a non-public healthcare institution, prefer to provide authorisation every visit, or are using a family member’s MediSave should submit the MCAF(S).
- Those who prefer the convenience of a one-time authorisation for current and future treatments at all participating institutions should submit the MCAF(M). For greater convenience, you may also submit your MCAF electronically via HealthHub.
For more guidance, refer to this detailed guide on how to fill up the MCAF.
Do note that to use MediSave for payment, you will need to bring along the original NRIC of the MediSave account holder for verification.
MediSave is here to help
From preventive care such as health screening and vaccinations to medical treatment, healthcare services are essential for our wellbeing but can be costly. Thankfully, the government has a slew of healthcare subsidies and financial assistance schemes available. MediSave is just one of the many measures put in place to make care more accessible to everyone.
If you are looking for home caregiving services, Homage has trained care professionals who are able to provide companionship, nursing care, night caregiving, home therapy and more, to keep your loved ones active and engaged.
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