How To Claim For Medical Treatment Overseas

For instance, look at the total cost of treatment. Your bill could include consultation fees, pre-op tests, medication, hospitalisation, and follow-up appointments, so a cheaper procedure price doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper overall bill.

You’ll also want to check your insurance coverage before making any appointments. Some policies may not cover treatment at overseas private hospitals, so work out whether paying out of pocket in JB actually makes more sense for you than paying a co-payment for treatment in Singapore.

If you’re considering JB, make sure to factor in how much follow-up care you’ll need. A simpler procedure with minimal follow-ups could be more convenient to manage across the border, while treatments requiring frequent appointments could mean more time, travel, and transport costs to factor into your budget.

What can I use MediSave for overseas? 

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According to CPF, it can be used for elective treatments at accredited healthcare facilities. This includes day surgery procedures and inpatient hospitalisation for eligible medical and surgical treatments.

With so many different treatments and procedures out there, it’s best to check with the relevant organisations beforehand if you’re unsure whether your treatment is covered. We’ll break down what you need to know below.

Who is eligible to use MediSave overseas?

Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) can use their own MediSave, or tap into the MediSave savings of an immediate family member. This includes your spouse, children, parents, siblings and grandchildren.

How does using MediSave at Regency Specialist Hospital work? 

1. Schedule a specialist consultation with the hospital

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First things first, you’ll need to book a consultation with a specialist at Regency Specialist Hospital. You can make an appointment through the hospital’s website or call +60 16-722 7288.

2. Collect your referral letter

After your specialist consultation, you’ll receive a referral letter with the details needed for your MediSave claim. This includes your particulars, diagnosis, the relevant Table of Surgical Procedures code for the surgery, estimated cost, expected hospitalisation duration if applicable, and proposed surgery or admission date.

3. Visit HMI Patient Service Centre in Singapore

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Before your procedure, you’ll need to make a stop at Health Management International (HMI) Medical’s Patient Service Centre in Singapore. This is where HMI Medical will check your MediSave eligibility, provide financial counselling, and help to collect the required deposit.

Remember to bring your referral letter along for the assessment.

Make an appointment by calling +65 6322 6333 or via WhatsApp at +65 9182 1602. For more details, check HMI Medical’s guide on using MediSave in Malaysia.

4. Proceed with treatment at Regency Specialist Hospital

Image adapted from: Lukman AL & 吳琪の via Google Maps

Once everything’s sorted, it’s time to head back to Regency Specialist Hospital for your scheduled treatment. No further deposit is required on the day of admission, as the deposit would have been arranged earlier.

After you’re discharged, a patient services consultant from HMI Medical’s Patient Service Centre will help you with the necessary MediSave claim submissions.

Take note that all MediSave claims are subject to approval by MOH.

What is the withdrawal limit when using MediSave overseas?

MediSave withdrawal limits for overseas treatments are the same as those for treatments in Singapore. Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you can use, as stated on CPF’s website:

Can I use MediShield Life overseas? 

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Unfortunately, MediShield Life cannot be used for medical treatment overseas. The MediShield Life scheme is meant for subsidised medical bills in Singapore’s public healthcare system, so it doesn’t extend to treatments received abroad.

And while MediSave and MediShield Life may sound like 2 sides of the same coin, they work differently.

Bookmark this article if you’re thinking about using MediSave in JB

Make sure you understand what MediSave can and cannot cover in JB, check your insurance policy, and factor in the full cost of treatment. You’ll also want to do your own research on the hospital and specialist you’re considering. After all, when it comes to healthcare, saving money shouldn’t be the only thing on your checklist.

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Cover image adapted from: Lukman AL via Google Maps, The Smart Local, RDNE Stock project via Pexels