Medical and dental benefits
As a full-time National Serviceman, you are entitled to a comprehensive set of medical and dental benefits.
Medical benefits
Consultation
Whenever you are ill or injured, you will receive free medical treatment at your unit’s Medical Centre. Beyond the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Clinic’s in-house resources, if you are referred to a restructured hospital for follow-up treatment, you will be subsidised according to your medical benefits scheme.
Outpatient treatment
You are also eligible for fully subsidised outpatient medical treatment at any restructured hospitals and polyclinics on producing your SAF identity card. This benefit is also extended to the wife and children of married servicemen on producing the Civil Service (CS) medical benefits card, which is obtainable from the unit’s S1. You will have to pay the first consultation fee if you:
- Have no referral
- Have been referred by a private doctor; or
- Are referred to a consultant by name
For outpatient treatment at private hospitals or private clinics run by registered medical practitioners, the maximum amount claimable is $20 per visit. This is subject to a limit of $350 per calendar year. Please note that outpatient medical expenses incurred at Chinese Medical Halls run by Chinese physicians registered with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners’ Board are not reimbursable.
| Outpatient care | Entitlement |
|---|---|
Restructured hospitals and polyclinics | Full subsidy |
Private clinics and hospitals | Maximum reimbursement of $20 per visit. This is subject to a limit of $350 per calendar year. |
Hospitalisation
You are eligible for subsidised inpatient medical treatment at restructured hospitals for your eligible class of ward. This benefit is also extended to the wife and children of married servicemen on producing the CS medical benefits card, which is obtainable from the unit’s S1. Where hospitalisation is required, the SAF will cover the following for your eligible class of ward at restructured hospitals:
- 80% (50% for dependants) of the ward and meal charges
- 100% of the treatment charges (excluding non-subsidised items)
Ward eligibility
To find out what class of ward you are eligible for, please refer to the table below:
| Rank | Ward eligibility | |
|---|---|---|
| All other restructured hospitals | National University Hospital | |
Recruit to Lance Corporal | Class C | Class C |
Corporal to First Sergeant | Class B2 | 6-bed |
Officer Cadet to Lieutenant | Class B1 and B2+ | 4-bed |
Note that dependants will be accorded the same ward eligibility as the servicemen.
Upgrading of ward
If you would like to upgrade to a class of ward beyond your eligibility, MINDEF will only subsidise an amount equivalent to the subsidy that is provided for your eligible ward. MINDEF will reimburse 80% of the ward charges for you (50% for your dependant), based on the rates at your correct ward eligibility. You will need to co-pay treatment charges based on the applicable co-payment rates shown in the table below:
You can also view the table here.
| Ward class | You | Dependants | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your eligibility | Admitted to | Co-payment rate (%) | Subsidy rate (%) | Co-payment rate (%) | Subsidy rate (%) |
C | B2 | 50 | 50 | 65 | 35 |
C | B2+ | 65 | 35 | 75 | 25 |
C | B1 | 80 | 20 | 85 | 15 |
C | A | 85 | 15 | 90 | 10 |
B2 | B2+ | 40 | 60 | 60 | 40 |
B2 | B1 | 65 | 35 | 75 | 25 |
B2 | A | 70 | 30 | 80 | 20 |
B1 | A | 35 | 65 | 55 | 45 |
Service injury
In cases of service injury, MINDEF/SAF will provide fully subsidised medical treatment at restructured hospitals, up to your eligible ward. The medical cost incurred for the treatment of your service injury will continue to be covered by MINDEF/SAF after your Operationally Ready Date (ORD). Learn more about claims and compensation of service injuries.
Non-service injury or illness upon ORD
If you are hospitalised for a non-service injury or illness at your ORD, your hospitalisation charges will continue to be subsidised until you are discharged from the hospital. Thereafter, all medical coverage for non-service injury or illness will cease.
Inpatient medical expenses from private hospitals will not be reimbursed.
Dental benefits
You will receive free dental treatment at the SAF Dental Clinics. Beyond the SAF Dental Clinic’s in-house resources, if you are referred to a restructured hospital for follow-up treatment, you will be subsidised according to your dental benefits scheme. The cost of precious metals used in treatment and fees for the services of a commercial laboratory will have to be borne by you.
SAF Dental Subsidy Scheme
Under this scheme, you are entitled to 85% reimbursement of dental treatment expenses incurred at restructured hospitals, polyclinics or private dental clinics. This is subject to a cap of $120 per calendar year.
You may receive subsidies for all types of dental treatment procedures and materials. However, the cost of precious metals used in treatments is not reimbursable.
For more information, please consult your Medical Officer, Manpower Officer, S1, Administrative Officer, or Chief Clerk.