What Is Medisave?
Medisave is a national medical savings scheme in Singapore. Every working Singaporean and Permanent Resident contributes a portion of their income to their Medisave account, which can be used to pay for certain medical expenses.
Medisave for Orthopaedic Surgery
What's Covered
Medisave can be used for:
- Surgery fees
- Hospital stay
- Implant costs (within limits)
- Anaesthesia
- Surgical consumables
What's Not Covered
- Outpatient consultations (unless MediSave500/700)
- Physiotherapy (outpatient)
- Medications taken home
- Private room upgrades (only B2/C ward rates covered)
Medisave Withdrawal Limits
Table of Surgical Procedures (Common Orthopaedic)
| Procedure | Medisave Limit |
|---|---|
| Total Knee Replacement | $10,100 |
| Total Hip Replacement | $10,100 |
| ACL Reconstruction | $5,700 |
| Shoulder Arthroscopy | $4,900 |
| Spine Surgery (Simple) | $5,700 |
| Spine Surgery (Complex) | $10,100 |
| Fracture Fixation | $2,400 - $5,700 |
Limits as of 2024. Check CPF website for current rates.
Daily Hospital Limits
| Ward Class | Daily Limit |
|---|---|
| Private Hospital | $700/day |
| Restructured Hospital (A/B1) | $550/day |
| Restructured Hospital (B2/C) | $450/day |
How to Maximize Your Medisave
Use Family Members' Medisave
You can use Medisave from:
- Your own account
- Spouse's account
- Children's accounts
- Parents' accounts
- Grandparents' accounts
Combine with Insurance
Integrated Shield Plans (IP) can be paid using Medisave:
- Premiums up to Additional Withdrawal Limit
- Reduces out-of-pocket costs
- Check your policy's panel hospitals
Choose the Right Hospital
- Public hospitals: Lower costs, higher Medisave coverage
- Private hospitals: Higher costs, may exceed limits
- Consider subsidized wards for maximum coverage
Claiming Process
Before Surgery
- Check your Medisave balance via CPF website/app
- Confirm procedure's Medisave claimable amount
- Discuss with hospital billing department
- Complete authorization forms
After Surgery
- Hospital submits claim directly to CPF
- Amount deducted from your Medisave
- Pay any remaining balance out-of-pocket
- Keep receipts for insurance claims
Example: Knee Replacement Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | Medisave Claimable |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery fee | $12,000 | Part of $10,100 limit |
| Hospital (5 days) | $3,500 | Up to $3,500 |
| Implants | $8,000 | Part of surgical limit |
| Total | $23,500 | ~$13,600 |
| Out-of-pocket | ~$9,900 |
Figures are illustrative. Actual costs vary.
Tips to Reduce Out-of-Pocket
- Choose restructured hospitals — Government subsidies apply
- Select B2/C ward — Highest Medisave coverage ratio
- Use Integrated Shield Plan — Covers amount above Medisave
- Ask about payment plans — Many hospitals offer installments
- Check for grants — MediFund for financial hardship
Conclusion
Medisave provides significant help with orthopaedic surgery costs, but rarely covers everything. Plan ahead by checking your balance, understanding limits, and considering supplementary insurance. Talk to your hospital's billing department early in your surgical journey.
For detailed surgery cost breakdowns based on MOH benchmarks, visit our Treatment Cost Guide.