The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) is a government initiative aimed at improving access to healthcare for all Singapore Citizens (SCs). It provides subsidies for a range of medical, preventive, and dental services at participating General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics. Special consideration is also given to Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) citizens, making the scheme inclusive and far-reaching.
What Does CHAS Cover?
Under CHAS, eligible individuals can receive financial support for a variety of healthcare needs. This includes outpatient medical treatment, chronic condition management, and dental services. The scheme is particularly useful for citizens who prefer visiting private GP and dental clinics, as it helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses for quality care.
Benefits of CHAS
CHAS provides tiered subsidies that help offset the cost of treatment. These subsidies can be used at approved CHAS clinics and vary based on the type of service required whether it’s for managing chronic illnesses, addressing acute conditions, or receiving dental care. This tiered system ensures that those with greater financial needs receive higher levels of support.
Who Can Apply for CHAS?
| CHAS Criteria | CHAS Green | CHAS Orange | CHAS Blue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household monthly income per person (for households with income)1 | Above $2,300 | $1,501 – $2,300 | $1,500 and below |
| Annual Value (AV) of home (for households with no income)2 | Above $31,000 | $21,001 – $31,000 | $21,000 and below |
All Singapore Citizens are eligible to benefit from CHAS, regardless of their income level. The amount of subsidy a person qualifies for is determined by their household monthly income per person or the Annual Value (AV) of their home. This tiered approach ensures that support is distributed fairly and equitably.
Tiered Subsidy System
| CHAS Criteria | CHAS Green | CHAS Orange | CHAS Blue | Merdeka Generation | Pioneer Generation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common illness1 (e.g. cough and cold) | Not applicable | Up to $10 subsidy per visit | Up to $18.50 subsidy per visit | Up to $23.50 subsidy per visit | Up to $28.50 subsidy per visit | |
| Selected Chronic Conditions under the Original CHAS Chronic Tier | Simple2 | Up to $28 subsidy per visit, capped at $112 per year | $50 subsidy per visit, capped at $200 per year | Up to $80 subsidy per visit, capped at $320 per year | Up to $85 subsidy per visit, capped at $340 per year | Up to $90 subsidy per visit, capped at $360 per year |
| Complex2 | Up to $40 subsidy per visit, capped at $160 per year | Up to $80 subsidy per visit, capped at $320 per year | Up to $125 subsidy per visit, capped at $500 per year | Up to $130 subsidy per visit, capped at $520 per year | Up to $135 subsidy per visit, capped at $540 per year | |
CHAS subsidies are categorized into different tiers to reflect varying financial circumstances. Households with lower income or those living in homes with a lower Annual Value receive higher subsidies. This structure ensures that assistance is focused on those who need it most, without excluding middle-income individuals.
Special Provisions for PG and MG Cardholders
In addition to regular CHAS benefits, Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders receive enhanced subsidies under CHAS. These groups were introduced to honor and support older Singaporeans who have contributed significantly to the nation’s development. As such, they enjoy higher subsidy rates and access to more healthcare support options.
The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) plays a crucial role in enhancing healthcare accessibility for Singaporeans from all walks of life. By offering tiered subsidies and recognizing special groups like the PG and MG, CHAS ensures that cost is not a barrier to necessary medical and dental care. For those looking to apply or learn more about their eligibility, visiting a participating clinic or accessing online government services with Singpass is the best place to start. You can visit official website for more details.