Medisave Usage for Overseas Hospitalization

Medisave has long been every Singaporean's medical savings account to dip into upon the need to bear hospitalization expenses and selected outpatient treatments (subject to caps on usage). We also use this to fund our Medisave-approved medical insurance plans e.g. MediShield and/or private insurer integrated plans.

For overseas hospitalization, Medisave could only be used in the event of emergencies (i.e. usually life threatening cases). However, from 10 March 2010, Singaporeans will be able to use their Medisave to help pay for their hospitalisation overseas under certain conditions. (see MOH Press Release)

Basically, the case has to be a referred hospitalization (or day surgery) by a local institution to the overseas medical centre which must already have an ongoing working partnership with the local centre.

While this opening up of Medisave usage is a right step, the tight controls may only benefit a minority who would make use of the Malaysian facilities for their treatment needs under the caps of Medisave.  
So far, this extension does not cover hospitalization and surgical insurance e.g. MediShield. (This is unlikely without premium adjustments as pricing costs of reasonable and customary charges as well as general standard of healthcare differ across countries of residence).