What dental treatment can MediSave and Flexi-MediSave pay for?
At a glance
| Treatment | MediSave? | Other help |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical removal of impacted wisdom tooth | Yes (standard MediSave) | Not CHAS |
| Dental implant placement surgery | Yes, up to $1,950 per implant ($1,120 operation limit plus up to $830 day-surgery charges) | Not CHAS |
| Root canal treatment | Flexi-MediSave only, age 60+ | CHAS |
| Permanent crown | Flexi-MediSave only, age 60+ | CHAS |
| Check-up, scaling, polishing, fillings, simple extractions, dentures | No | CHAS |
| Braces and clear aligners, whitening, veneers | No | Not CHAS; some insurance plans |
Standard MediSave: surgical dental procedures
The procedure must be on the Ministry of Health’s list of surgical procedures and done at a MediSave-accredited clinic. The CPF Board sets how much can be withdrawn for each. If the clinic’s fee is higher, the difference is paid in cash. At Toothsmith, the fee for surgical removal of wisdom teeth ($1,362.50 for one tooth, $2,343.50 for two) and the $1,950 implant surgery visit are fully MediSave-claimable, subject to the account balance. See MediSave for wisdom tooth surgery.
Flexi-MediSave: patients aged 60 and above
- Up to $400 per patient per calendar year, shared with other Flexi-MediSave use such as GP visits
- For root canal treatment and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics with Flexi-MediSave accreditation, and public healthcare institutions
- From your own MediSave, or your spouse’s if your spouse is also aged 60 or above
- Applied after any CHAS subsidy
Worked example: a Pioneer Generation patient aged 72 has a molar root canal ($1,000 at Toothsmith). The CHAS subsidy is up to $594.50 and Flexi-MediSave up to $400, leaving $5.50 in cash.
Whose MediSave can I use?
For standard MediSave: your own, or that of your spouse, children, parents, grandparents or siblings (siblings must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents). The account holder signs a Medical Claims Authorisation Form. For Flexi-MediSave: only your own or your spouse’s, and both must be 60 or above.
Can I use MediSave at a polyclinic for dental?
The same CPF rules apply wherever the procedure is done: surgical procedures at accredited institutions, and Flexi-MediSave for eligible seniors at CHAS dental clinics and public healthcare institutions. Check with the institution about its own arrangements.
Full details and what to bring: MediSave and Flexi-MediSave at Toothsmith.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use MediSave for braces?
No. Orthodontic treatment such as braces and clear aligners is not MediSave-claimable, and it is not covered by CHAS. Some enhanced insurance plans cover orthodontics.
Is tooth extraction covered by MediSave?
Only surgical extractions, such as the surgical removal of an impacted wisdom tooth. A simple extraction is not MediSave-claimable, but it is CHAS-claimable for eligible cardholders.
How much MediSave can I use for dental implants?
Up to $1,120 per implant for the operation plus up to $830 for day-surgery charges, so up to $1,950 per implant placed. The abutment and crown stages are not claimable.
Is the $400 Flexi-MediSave limit per visit?
No. It is a yearly total per patient, shared with any other Flexi-MediSave use in the same calendar year.
Can I use MediSave for scaling and polishing?
No. Scaling and polishing are CHAS-claimable for eligible cardholders but not MediSave-claimable.
Sources
- CPF Board, MediSave for dental treatments and dental implants
- MOH, Flexi-MediSave
Questions about your teeth?
Book a check-up. You will hear what we find, the options and the fee before anything is done.