Free Singapore MediShield Life calculator. Look up your annual premium by age, see how much is deductible from Medisave, and understand what the policy covers.
MediShield Life premiums are age-banded and increase at each five-year age step. For Singapore citizens in their twenties the annual premium is around S$300 to S$400. By age 40 it rises to roughly S$700. By the mid-sixties, premiums are in the S$1,700 to S$2,200 range and can exceed S$2,500 for those in their seventies. The government regularly reviews and updates these premiums to match rising healthcare costs. The 2025 round of premium adjustments reflected increasing medical inflation and an older claims profile.
Permanent residents pay higher premiums than citizens at the same age, and they receive lower government subsidies. The premium gap reflects the policy intent that citizens bear a smaller share of the cost of public healthcare infrastructure they have contributed to over a lifetime. New PRs who joined MediShield Life late may face loading charges in the early years.
Paying from Medisave and the Basic Healthcare Sum
The entire MediShield Life premium is payable from your Medisave account, which earns 4 percent interest per year. Because Medisave is separate from your spending money, many people effectively never notice the annual premium deduction. The catch is that Medisave has a contribution limit, the Basic Healthcare Sum, which is S$71,500 for 2025. Contributions above the BHS flow to your Special or Retirement Account. If your Medisave balance is low, a shortfall triggers a cash payment notice from CPF Board, so it is worth keeping the Medisave account adequately funded.
MediShield Life alone versus an Integrated Shield Plan
MediShield Life covers the full cost of a Class B2 or C ward bill above the deductible, with a 3 to 10 percent co-insurance up to S$3,000 per year. If you expect to stay in Class B1, A, or a private hospital, you need an Integrated Shield Plan from a private insurer. The IP premium is paid partly from Medisave and partly in cash, and costs typically range from S$1,000 to S$4,000 a year depending on your age and the ward tier chosen. An IP rider can eliminate the co-insurance portion, though rider premiums must be paid entirely in cash under MAS rules introduced in 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What does MediShield Life cover?
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance scheme administered by CPF Board. It covers large inpatient hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments in Class B2 and C wards at restructured hospitals. It pays out after deductibles and co-insurance of around 3 to 10 percent. The annual claim limit is S$150,000 and there is no lifetime limit. Many Singaporeans also buy an Integrated Shield Plan on top to cover Class B1, A, or private hospital wards, with the rider paying the co-insurance portion.
Are MediShield Life premiums fully payable from Medisave?
Yes. The full MediShield Life premium can be paid from your CPF Medisave account. No cash is required. If your Medisave balance is sufficient, the premium is deducted automatically each year. The premium is not a tax deduction for income tax purposes since it is paid from Medisave, not from taxable income.
Do premiums increase with age?
Yes. MediShield Life uses age-based premiums that rise as you get older because older members make more and larger claims. Premiums for those in their twenties are a few hundred dollars a year, while premiums for those in their seventies can reach S$2,500 or more. The schedule is reviewed periodically by the Ministry of Health and CPF Board. Premium increases have been announced for the 2025 to 2030 period to reflect rising healthcare costs and an aging population.
Who is eligible for MediShield Life premium subsidies?
Lower and middle-income Singaporean households are eligible for means-tested premium subsidies from the government. Households in the bottom 20 percent income tier can receive subsidies of up to 80 percent. The subsidies are automatically assessed based on your household income and do not need to be applied for separately. Permanent residents do not receive the same level of subsidies as citizens, and foreigners are not covered by MediShield Life at all.