Press Releases
More Singaporeans to benefit from subsidized GP care from today
15 January 2012
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
15 Jan 2012
More Singaporeans to benefit from subsidized GP care from today
Scheme to be renamed the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
Starting today, more middle and low income Singaporeans will benefit from subsidized care from their private General Practitioners.
Formerly known as the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS), the scheme is renamed the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) - 社保援助计划- to better reflect its objective and reach.
The qualifying income for the scheme will be raised from the current $800 to $1,500 per capita monthly household income. At the same time, the age criteria for eligibility will be lowered from 65 to 40 years old. Patients under the scheme will pay subsidized rates at Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs) when referred by CHAS GPs.
There is a rising prevalence of chronic diseases among Singaporeans, with an estimated 80% of chronic patients who are 40 years and above. Early detection and intervention will allow patients to have better clinical outcomes before their conditions become complicated.
In August 2011, the Ministry of Health announced the expansion of the scheme to make private GP care more accessible and affordable to middle and low income Singaporeans aged 40 and above. This allows them to better manage their chronic diseases early, remain healthy and active and avoid unnecessary complications. Early detection and management will also help defer unnecessary high medical costs in the long run.
There are currently more than 38,000 Singaporeans on the scheme, and over 450 participating GP clinics and 210 participating dental clinics[1].
Eligible Singaporeans can apply for the scheme by submitting an application form, available at Community Development Councils, Community Clubs, and all public healthcare institutions such as hospitals and polyclinics. Successful applicants will receive a Health Assist card (保健援助卡) for presentation at participating GPs and dental clinics for subsidised treatment. Existing cardholders of the Community Health Benefits Card can continue using the card until expiry.
Members of the public can also download the forms and find out more about the scheme at http://www.chas.sg or call 1800-275 2427 (1800-ASK-CHAS) to enquire.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
Table caption
CHAS Tiers | Subsidy Received | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Acute | Chronic conditions under the CDMP[2] | Dental | ||
Blue | Income ≤ $900 Economically inactive households with AV ≤ $13,000 (Blue Health Assist Card) | $18.50 per visit | $80 per visit (Previously $60) (Increase in annual cap ) | Up to $256.50 per procedure |
Orange | $901 < Income ≤ $1500 (Orange Health Assist Care) | - | $50 per visit | Up to $170.50 per procedure for selected dental procedures |
[1] In addition, there are 48 GP clinics and 25 dental clinics whose applications are being processed
[2] The Chronic Disease Management Programme allows Singaporeans to defray part of for their chronic outpatients’ treatment using Medisave. The programme covers: diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), schizophrenia, major depression, dementia and bi-polar disorder.