Healthcare financing

Financial subsidies

Inpatient subsidies

Means Testing

Means testing is a method to calculate the subsidies you will receive from the government when you use care services. It ensures that patients from lower-income households receive more subsidies than those from higher-income households. If you choose to stay in a subsidized ward (i.e. class B2 or C), means testing is used to calculate the amount of subsidy you can receive.

Means testing is based on your Per Capita Household Income. If this is not available, the annual value of your property will be used. Means Testing is applicable only for Singaporeans / PR.

Singaporeans and PRs enjoy government subsidies for inpatient and day surgery admissions, as well as outpatient visits at public hospitals.

The amount of subsidy that is granted depends on your citizenship or residency status, financial circumstances and the hospital care services you choose.

National Electronic Financial Records (NeFR)

The National Electronic Financial Records (NeFR) is an electronic database set up by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The NeFR contains information of the patient’s income, previous healthcare utilization claims, MediSave balance; MediShield Life coverage and eligible subsidies etc. These information enables the hospital to facilitate quick financial assessments for the patient.

If you agree to share your data, your information will be accessed for official purposes only. Information that the hospital staff will have access to include:

• Medisave balance
• MediShield Life coverage
• Eligible Financial subsidies

Outpatient subsidies

Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS)

CHAS enables Singapore Citizens from lower to middle income households, as well as all Pioneers and Merdeka Generation seniors, to receive subsidies for medical and dental care at participating general practitioners (GPs) and dental clinics.

Pioneer Generation Package

The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced to thank all Pioneers for their contributions to the nation.

Find out more about Pioneer Generation Package

Merdeka Generation Package

The Merdeka Generation Package was also introduced to thank the Merdeka Generation for their contributions to the nation.

Find out more about Merdeka Generation Package

Financial schemes

Medisave

You can use Medisave to pay your hospital bill as well as that of your immediate family, i.e. your spouse, children, parents or grandparents. If you are using your Medisave for your grandparents, they must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.

During admission, you should inform the Admissions staff your intention to use your Medisave to pay. You should also bring along your NRIC/Passport or your CPF membership card. You will also need to sign a Medisave Authorization Form authorizing the CPF Board to deduct from your Medisave Account to pay for the hospital bill.

Learn more on Medisave

MediShield Life

​MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan that protects all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents against large hospital bills for life, regardless of age or health condition. MediShield Life also covers selected costly outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer.

The payouts will be computed based on scheme parameters and will be subjected to claim limits, deductibles and co-insurance. The remaining of the bill which is not covered by MediShield Life would need to be covered by using Medisave and/or cash.​

Find out more about MediShield Life

Private Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans (PMIs)

Private Medical Insurance is a scheme which allows CPF members to use their Medisave savings to buy Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans for themselves and their dependents. Dependents refer to a member's parents, spouse, children and grandparents.

Each insured person can only have one Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plan paid with Medisave. You may visit the Ministry of Health's website for more information on the various schemes and subsidies.

Find out more about Private Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans

Medical Claims Authorization Form (MCAF)

If you use your MediSave, MediShield Life or Private Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans (PMIs) to pay your hospital bills, you are required to sign a Medical Claims Authorization Form (MCAF). By giving your consent, this allows the hospital to:

• Check your MediSave balance and available withdrawal limit
• Withdraw your MediSave to pay for approved treatments
• Claim from your MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plan to pay for approved treatments

There are two types of MCAF forms:

• MCAF - Multiple (M) allows you to use your MediSave at all MediSave accredited healthcare institutions. MCAF-M provides convenience as you only need to sign once to use your MediSave funds is for life
• MCAF - Single (S) allows you to exercise flexibility should you decide to provide limited consent to use your MediSave funds. You can also limit the type of schemes you would like to tap on, and choose the duration for the usage of your MediSave funds

Similar to MediSave, to activate the use of MediShield Life and PMIs, you are also required to sign a Medical Claims Authorization Form (MCAF).

Financial assistance

Our Medical Social Workers will assess you on your eligibility if you require financial assistance. Your request will be kept strictly confidential. The amount of financial assistance given will vary, depending on factors such as your hospital bill size and financial circumstances. The following options will be explored for financial assistance:

• Downgrading to subsidized class status
• Medifund, an endowment fund set up by the Government to help needy Singaporeans who have difficulty paying for their subsidized medical expenses even after insurance and Medisave
• Other government assistance schemes such as Medication Assistance Fund
• TTSH Community Fund supports needy patients, especially the elderly who are unable to afford out-of-pocket expenses
• Appeals to the various endowment funds