Medical and dental benefits
As a full-time National Serviceman (NSF), you are entitled to a comprehensive set of medical and dental benefits.
Last updated 22 July 2025
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Medical benefits
Consultation
If you feel unwell during office hours, consult your Unit Medical Officer. The medical treatment given at your unit Medical Centre is free of charge.
If you fall ill or sustain injuries after office hours, inform your officer-in-charge, who will assist you to seek immediate medical attention.
Outpatient treatment
You are eligible for fully subsidised outpatient medical treatment at restructured hospitals and polyclinics on producing your National Service (NS) Identity Card. This benefit is also extended to the wife and children of married servicemen on producing the Medical Benefits Identity Memo (MBIM), which is obtainable from your Unit Personnel Officer or Admin Officer. 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 $50 per visit. The maximum reimbursement is $350 per year (including dependants). 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 entitlements, including subsidy coverage at public institutions and reimbursement limits for private healthcare visits.
Outpatient care | Entitlement |
|---|---|
Restructured hospitals and polyclinics | Full subsidy |
Private clinics and hospitals | Maximum reimbursement of $50 per visit. This is subject to a limit of $350 per calendar year. |
The MBIM is a temporary identification document for medical benefits. NSFs or their dependants may be issued the MBIM if the NS Identity Card is not available.
Hospitalisation
You are eligible for subsidised inpatient medical treatment at restructured hospitals for your eligible class of ward by presenting your NS Identity Card. This benefit is also extended to the wife and children of married servicemen. The MBIM has to be produced together with documentary proof such as Marriage Certificate and/or Birth Certificate for your spouse or child to be eligible for subsidised medical treatment.
Where hospitalisation is required, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will cover the following for your eligible class of ward at restructured hospitals:
80% (50% for dependants) of the ward and meal charges at your eligible ward
Full subsidy of treatment charges at your eligible ward
Ward eligibility
To find out what class of ward you are eligible for, please refer to the table below:
Ward class eligibility by rank for SCDF personnel receiving inpatient care at restructured hospitals.
Rank | Ward eligibility |
|---|---|
Recruit to Lance Corporal | Class C |
Corporal to Sergeant | Class B2 |
Officer Cadet to Lieutenant | Class B1 |
Upgrading of ward
If you would like to upgrade to a class of ward beyond your eligibility, the SCDF will only subsidise an amount equivalent to the subsidy that is provided for your eligible ward. The SCDF 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.
Hospital ward class eligibility and corresponding subsidy and co-payment rates for SCDF personnel and their dependants.
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, the SCDF 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 the SCDF 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 and is still not discharged at your ORD, you may continue to receive medical benefits until you are discharged from the hospital. Thereafter, medical coverage for injuries or illness will cease.
Inpatient medical expenses from private hospitals will not be reimbursed.
Dental benefits
You are eligible for outpatient dental treatment at government and private dental clinics. You are entitled to 85% reimbursement of dental treatment expenses incurred at dental clinics. This is subject to a cap of $250 per calendar year.