MediShield Life 2026 — What You Need to Know

MediShield Life is Singapore's compulsory basic health insurance for all citizens and Permanent Residents. It covers large hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments for life — here's everything you need to know.

Last updated: June 2026 · Based on CPF Board published information.

What Is MediShield Life?

MediShield Life is a basic health insurance scheme introduced in 2015, replacing the previous MediShield scheme. It is designed to help Singaporeans and PRs pay for large hospital bills and expensive outpatient treatments.

Key features

• Covers all Singapore Citizens and PRs — from birth, for life
• No lifetime claim limit — unlike the old MediShield
• Covers pre-existing conditions — conditions you had before MediShield Life started are covered
• Compulsory — you cannot opt out
• Premiums paid from Medisave — no cash outlay required in most cases

What Does MediShield Life Cover?

Inpatient treatment

• Hospital stays in subsidised wards (B2 and C class in public hospitals)
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays
• Day surgery
• Surgical operations

Outpatient treatment

• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer
• Kidney dialysis
• Immunosuppressant drugs for organ transplant patients
• Erythropoietin (EPO) for chronic kidney failure patients

What it does NOT cover

• Private hospital stays
• A or B1 class ward stays (unless you pay the difference)
• Cosmetic surgery
• Dental treatment (except dental surgery requiring hospitalisation)
• Overseas medical treatment

For broader coverage — including private hospital stays — many Singaporeans purchase an Integrated Shield Plan (IP) from a private insurer. IPs build on top of MediShield Life and are also payable from your Medisave Account (up to certain limits).

How MediShield Life Premiums Work

MediShield Life premiums are age-based — they increase as you get older, reflecting the higher healthcare costs associated with aging. Premiums are reviewed periodically and may be adjusted.

Premium payment

• Premiums are paid from your Medisave Account (MA)
• If your MA balance is insufficient, you can use the MA of immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, siblings)
• Premiums are typically deducted automatically once a year
• Cash payment is available as an alternative

Premium structure

Premiums are determined by your age and are reviewed regularly by the Ministry of Health (MOH). Generally:

• Young adults (below 40): Relatively low premiums
• Middle-aged (40–60): Moderate premiums
• Seniors (60+): Higher premiums reflecting greater healthcare needs

Important: Specific premium amounts change from year to year. We do not publish specific dollar amounts here to avoid misinformation. Always check the latest premiums on the official CPF Board website. Source: CPF Board — MediShield Life

Premium Subsidies

The Singapore government provides subsidies to help lower- and middle-income households manage MediShield Life premiums:

• Premium subsidies: Available based on household income and annual value of property. Higher subsidies for lower-income households.
• Pioneer Generation subsidies: Additional subsidies for Singaporeans born before 1950 who became citizens before 1987.
• Merdeka Generation subsidies: Additional subsidies for Singaporeans born in the 1950s who became citizens before 1995.

MediShield Life vs Integrated Shield Plans

Many Singaporeans wonder whether MediShield Life alone is sufficient. Here's how it compares to private Integrated Shield Plans (IPs):

• MediShield Life alone: Covers subsidised wards (B2/C) in public hospitals. Sufficient if you are comfortable with subsidised healthcare.
• MediShield Life + IP: Covers higher ward classes (B1/A) or private hospitals, depending on the plan tier. Higher premiums, partially payable from Medisave.