Annual MediSave limit for outpatient scans doubles to S$600; more subsidies for dental care announced
The yearly withdrawal cap under the Flexi-MediSave scheme will also rise to S$400 from Oct 1
THE annual MediSave withdrawal limit for outpatient scans – such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) scans – will double to S$600 from Jan 1, 2026, from S$300 currently.
MRI and CT scans have become more common in the diagnosis of certain conditions, such as cancer, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Friday (Mar 7), during his ministry’s Committee of Supply debate.
This move will make such scans more affordable, he said. Each year, more than 500,000 Singaporeans undergo medical imaging tests.
Hannah Oo, senior medical social worker at Woodlands Health, told The Business Times that most patients can afford or get financial aid for medical scans, but a “small segment” faces monetary strain despite not qualifying for assistance.
The higher MediSave limits will help defray their out-of-pocket costs, she said.
From Oct 1, the annual withdrawal limit under the Flexi-MediSave scheme will also rise to S$400, from S$300 now.
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Introduced in 2015, Flexi-MediSave allows Singaporeans aged 60 and above to use their own, or their spouse’s, MediSave funds for outpatient treatments.
These include visits to specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinics, and general practitioner clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas).
The higher withdrawal cap will benefit some 700,000 patients who use this scheme annually.
More support for oral health
Separately, Chas cardholders will get higher subsidies for preventive and restorative dental procedures.
Chas cards may be blue, orange or green, depending on cardholders’ per-person household income and the annual value of their home. Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) seniors also receive subsidies at Chas clinics.
From the fourth quarter of 2025, subsidy limits for seven restorative dental procedures, including root canal treatments, will be raised for PG and MG patients, and holders of blue and orange Chas cards.
From mid-2026, those eligible for Flexi-MediSave can use it for root canal treatments and permanent crowns at Chas dental clinics and public healthcare institutions.
Chas orange cardholders will also get subsidies for 10 basic and preventive dental procedures, such as scaling and polishing, which they previously did not enjoy.
Raymond Ang, chief operating officer of Q&M Dental, said: “I think this will encourage more Chas orange cardholders to come and get their teeth done on a regular basis, and prevent further treatment down the road.”
Among the people in Singapore aged 55 and above, only 56 per cent have at least 20 natural teeth – the minimum needed for effective chewing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.
Fee benchmarks
To ensure that enhanced subsidies translate to lower out-of-pocket costs, MOH will introduce fee benchmarks for common dental procedures from Q4.
Similar benchmarks are already in place at public healthcare institutions, noted Dr Ang.
While current guidelines require dental clinics to “prominently” display price lists, a benchmark will help patients plan for major treatments without “bill shock”, he added.
Q&M does not anticipate “major” revisions to its prices as the benchmarks will be aligned with existing fee structures across dental practices – something that the group already monitors.
Fee benchmarks could, however, encourage patients to opt for private dental care if prices are comparable, thus easing waiting times at public clinics.
Explained Dr Ang: “If you are not paying much more for a certain procedure at a private clinic, then you can get (the treatment) much faster. For things like root canals or dentures, the queue in the public sector could be months long, whereas private clinics can do it in a week.”
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