Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is reviewing the scheme that allows MediSave to be used for certain elective medical treatments overseas, as easier travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru could lead to more patients crossing the border for healthcare.
Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said in a parliamentary response published on Wednesday, 9 September, that MOH was conducting the review in light of the expected increase in cross-border patient flow after the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link begins operating.
Importantly, MOH has not announced that the scheme will definitely be expanded. The review could examine whether changes are needed, but no new hospitals, rules or MediSave limits have been announced.
Only Two Malaysian Hospitals Currently Participate
The overseas MediSave scheme has existed since 2010 and was introduced to give patients more choice for elective treatment outside Singapore.
Under the current arrangement, an overseas hospital cannot simply accept MediSave on its own.
It must have an MOH-approved working arrangement with a MediSave-accredited institution in Singapore. The Singapore centre has to refer the patient, carry out a clinical assessment before admission and provide financial counselling.
There are currently only two participating hospitals, both in Malaysia: Mahkota Medical Centre in Melaka and Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru. Both participate through HMI Medical Centre in Singapore.
Since the scheme began in 2010, no new local providers have been accredited, while one local provider withdrew in 2023, Mr Ong said.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents can use MediSave for eligible overseas elective treatments at accredited hospitals, subject to the same applicable MediSave withdrawal limits.
About 300 Claims Made Each Year Recently
Despite Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia for healthcare, use of MediSave under this particular scheme has remained relatively limited.
MOH said there were an average of about 300 claims a year between 2023 and 2025, with most involving obstetrics and gynaecology treatments.
For a slightly longer period covering 2020 to 2024, MOH previously reported an average of around 200 claims annually, with about S$3,200 withdrawn from MediSave per claim on average. The ministry said at the time that it did not track how the prices of these overseas treatments compared with equivalent procedures in Singapore.
MediSave should also not be confused with MediShield Life. MOH said in 2024 that MediShield Life, Singapore’s basic health insurance scheme, is designed around subsidised treatment at local public hospitals and is not extended to overseas medical treatment.
RTS Link Could Make JB Healthcare More Accessible
The review comes as travelling between Singapore and Johor Bahru is set to become considerably easier.
The RTS Link will run between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru, with the train journey taking about five minutes. It is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers an hour in each direction.
Passengers will also clear both countries’ immigration procedures at their departure station rather than going through another immigration checkpoint after arriving.
The cross-border rail service is currently expected to begin passenger operations in early 2027, although its precise launch date is to be jointly announced by Singapore and Malaysia.
With Regency Specialist Hospital already participating in the overseas MediSave scheme in Johor Bahru, the faster connection is one reason MOH is now reconsidering whether the existing framework remains suitable for potentially higher cross-border patient traffic.
For now, however, Singaporeans should not assume that more Malaysian hospitals will soon accept MediSave. MOH has only confirmed that the scheme is being reviewed, with no expansion announced as of 9 September 2026.
