Puzzling Medisave exclusion

I recently visited a specialist orthopaedic clinic for treatment of a severe back injury.

The doctor requested an MRI scan to reveal the full extent of my injury. I was told that Medisave could not be used to pay for this unless I was hospitalised, which was unnecessary in this case.

Why is it that Medisave can be used to pay for treatments of a less critical nature, such as cervical cancer inoculation, but not an essential MRI scan that costs more than $1,000?

I am also unable to claim from my insurance because it has an "excess" clause that starts from $3,500.

Can the Central Provident Fund Board explain the logic behind the Medisave exclusion?

Leonard Tan Eng Hong

This article was first published on Nov 18, 2014.
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