Features Overview

CHAS: Making Healthcare Affordable for Singaporeans

The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) is a key government initiative in Singapore designed to make primary healthcare more affordable for all citizens, particularly the lower- to middle-income groups and the elderly.

Its primary benefit is providing subsidies for medical and dental care at participating General Practitioner (GP) clinics and dental clinics. The scheme ensures that Singaporeans can access essential healthcare services without facing significant financial hardship.

Key Benefits of CHAS:

1. Subsidised Medical Care:
CHAS cardholders receive subsidies for common treatments at GP clinics, such as:

• Chronic Conditions: For long-term illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

• Common Illnesses: For acute conditions like colds, flu, and minor infections.

2. Subsidised Dental Care:
The scheme also covers a range of essential dental procedures, including:

• Basic consultations and scaling & polishing.

• Fillings and extractions.

• Denture services.

3. Tiered Subsidies for Fairness:
CHAS is structured to provide higher subsidies to those who need it more. There are three main tiers:

• CHAS Orange: For households with a monthly income per person of $1,200 - $2,000, or an annual value of home up to $25,000.

• CHAS Blue: For households with a monthly income per person of $1,200 or less, or an annual value of home up to $15,000. This tier receives higher subsidies than the Orange tier.

• Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) Cardholders: Seniors from these cohorts receive the highest subsidies, on top of their existing PG/MG benefits.

4. Convenience and Accessibility:
With over 1,500 participating medical and dental clinics islandwide, CHAS cardholders can easily access subsidised care in their neighbourhoods without needing a referral.

5. Support for All Ages:
Unlike some schemes targeted only at the elderly, CHAS extends its benefits to Singaporeans of all ages, ensuring that entire families can receive affordable care.

In a Nutshell:

CHAS is a cornerstone of Singapore's healthcare system, effectively bridging the gap between basic health needs and affordability. By providing direct subsidies at the point of care, it empowers individuals and families to seek timely medical and dental treatment, promoting better long-term health outcomes for the nation.

CHAS BENEFITS

CHAS provides substantial subsidies for essential dental care at participating clinics, making routine and necessary treatments more affordable. The scheme covers a wide range of common procedures, including basic consultations, scaling and polishing, fillings, and simple extractions. For eligible cardholders, particularly those on the CHAS Blue, Orange tiers, these subsidies are significantly higher, extending to more complex services like root canal treatment and dentures. This ensures that Singaporeans can maintain good oral health without facing prohibitive costs.

MERDEKA BENEFITS

Merdeka Generation cardholders receive enhanced subsidies for a comprehensive range of dental services, building upon the standard CHAS benefits. They are eligible for higher subsidy tiers for essential procedures like scaling and polishing, fillings, and extractions. Crucially, this includes significant support for more complex and costly treatments such as root canal therapy and dentures, making critical oral healthcare substantially more affordable for this generation of seniors.

PIONEER GENERATION BENEFITS

Pioneer Generation cardholders receive the most substantial dental subsidies available, acknowledging their contributions and higher healthcare needs in their senior years. They benefit from the highest tier of support for a full spectrum of treatments, from basic services like scaling and polishing to major procedures such as dentures and root canals. These enhanced subsidies significantly lower out-of-pocket costs, ensuring this founding generation has accessible and affordable dental care to maintain their oral health and overall well-being.