Accreditation Criteria for Overseas Hospitals Under MediSave Scheme
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the accreditation criteria for overseas hospitals under the MediSave scheme, their review frequency, and potential framework updates due to the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. In response, Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that participating overseas hospitals must have an approved working arrangement with a local MediSave-accredited institution, which provides referrals, pre-admission clinical assessments, and financial counselling. Currently, only two Malaysian hospitals participate through HMI Medical Centre, with no new local providers accredited since 2010 and one withdrawing in 2023. Utilisation has remained low, averaging 300 claims per year from 2023 to 2025, primarily for Obstetrics and Gynecology treatments. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the scheme in view of the anticipated increase in cross-border patient flow from the RTS Link.
Transcript
40 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what are the accreditation criteria for overseas hospitals under the MediSave scheme; (b) how frequently are these criteria reviewed; and (c) whether the Ministry will assess if increased patient flow via the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link warrants changes to the accreditation framework.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: My response will also address a similar question raised by Mr Fadli Fawzi filed for a subsequent sitting. If MP is satisfied with the response, he may wish to withdraw the question from that Sitting. [Please refer to "Addition of Healthcare Providers to List of Overseas Hospitals Participating in MediSave Scheme", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
The use of MediSave for overseas elective treatments is intended to give patients wider choice. As part of the extension, participating overseas hospitals must have an approved working arrangement with a MediSave-accredited institution in Singapore. The local centre must refer the patient, provide pre-admission clinical assessment and financial counselling to interested patients. Such partnership applications must be approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Since the scheme was introduced in 2010, no new local providers have been accredited, and one local provider withdrew from the scheme in 2023. Currently, two Malaysian hospitals, Mahkota Medical Centre and Regency Specialist Hospital, participate through their MediSave-accredited local partner, HMI Medical Centre.
MOH has been monitoring the implementation of the scheme. Utilisation has generally remained low, at an average of 300 claims per year from 2023 to 2025, mainly for Obstetrics and Gynecology treatments. In view of the expected increase in cross-border patient flow with the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link, MOH is currently reviewing the scheme.