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MediShield Life
- Article last reviewed 15 December 2025
- 3 mins read
What is MediShield Life?
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance scheme that provides Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with universal and lifelong protection against large healthcare bills, regardless of age or health condition. While large healthcare bills are uncommon, the cost can be very high for the few among us who fall seriously ill. MediShield Life works by pooling financial resources from individuals in similar age cohorts, so we can each pay a smaller premium in return for assurance over large healthcare bills.
MediShield Life helps to pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer. As a basic health insurance scheme, its coverage is sized for subsidised treatment at public hospitals.
What Does MediShield Life Cover?
MediShield coverage is sized for subsidised treatment in public hospitals. Those who choose to stay in a Class A/B1 wards or in a private hospital are also covered by MediShield Life. However, as MediShield Life payouts are pegged at Class B2/C wards, the MediShield Life payout will make up a small proportion of the bill only. The patient may, therefore, need to pay more of their bill from MediSave and/or cash.
The government will also provide significant support to keep your MediShield Life premium affordable, including those who need to pay additional premiums. Some subsidies include:
• Premium subsidies for the lower- to middle-income
• Pioneer generation subsidies for Pioneers
• Transitional subsidies to ease the shift to MediShield Life for Singapore citizens
• Additional premium support for those who are unable to afford their MediShield Life premium, even after subsidies
MediShield Life Premiums will be affordable and may be fully paid with your MediSave account.
For more information, like how Medishield Life works with Integrated Shield Plans, please click here.
Related: Integrated Shield Plans (IPs)
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Contributed By
- Ministry of Health
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