Managing medical bills
Learn about subsidies and schemes that help keep healthcare affordable.
Last updated 26 October 2024
What is S+3Ms? (Subsidies, MediSave, MediShield Life and MediFund)
“S+3Ms” is Singapore’s healthcare financing framework which provides all Singaporeans with support for their medical bills at public healthcare institutions. It covers four components:
Government Subsidies
MediSave (your medical savings)
MediShield Life (health insurance for all)
MediFund (safety net for those who require more help)
The "S+3Ms" work together to keep medical bills affordable for everyone. No one will be denied appropriate healthcare due to an inability to pay.
Government Subsidies
The Ministry of Health provides subsidies to make healthcare more affordable for everyone. How much help you get depends on your financial situation, and the type of hospital ward you choose (if you're staying in hospital).
MediSave
MediSave is a mandatory healthcare savings account for all Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents. It helps you save for your future medical needs.
MediSave can be used to pay for:
Insurance premiums (MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans, and ElderShield or CareShield Life)
Health screenings and vaccinations.
Long-term health problems under the Chronic Disease Management Programme.
Hospital stays and day surgeries.
Long-term care such as day rehabilitation and end-of-life care.
MediShield Life
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance scheme that provides Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with universal and lifelong protection against large healthcare bills. It covers you for life, no matter how old you are or what health conditions you have.
MediShield Life works by collecting smaller, annual premiums from individuals, and paying out when an individual experiences a major health episode. As premiums can be fully paid using MediSave, most Singaporeans do not pay cash out-of-pocket for their MediShield Life coverage.
MediFund
MediFund is a safety net for Singaporeans who cannot pay their medical bills even after Government subsidies, insurance and MediSave.
In this example, Ms. Tan is a 48-year-old Singapore Citizen who had a uterus operation, and was hospitalised in a Class C ward for five days. Ms. Tan does not have any other private insurance.
MediFund
Parameters | Amount | Remarks/Assumption |
|---|---|---|
[A] Hospital bill after subsidy | $4,000 | Up to 80% subsidies for Class C bill |
[B] Claim limit | $4,000 | Lower of (i) post-subsidy bill incurred and (ii) 5-day normal ward stay ($800 per day), with additional $200 per day for the first 2 days; uterus operation under Table 5C of Table of Surgical Procedures |
[C] Deductible | $1,500 | Class C deductible for person aged 80 and below |
[D] Co-insurance | $250 | 10% for first $5,000 (inclusive of deductible), 5% for next $5,000 |
MSHL Payout | $2,250 | [B] – [C] – [D] |
Patient Co-payment | $1,750 | Post-subsidy bill [A] – MSHL payout (payable by MediSave and Cash) |
After Government subsidies and her MediShield Life payout, Ms Tan can pay for her remaining bill using MediSave and cash. She can also apply for financial assistance through MediFund for her remaining bill.