Every Singapore citizen, including holders of Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) cards, are eligible to receive financial assistance for general practitioner (GP) and dental care at participating clinics through the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).
The Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), which enables MediSave to be used for outpatient therapy (for the same set of chronic disorders covered under CHAS), is a supplement to CHAS for people with chronic conditions.
Patients can use their MediSave to help cover some of the cost of their chronic condition therapies in addition to receiving CHAS subsidies for those treatments.
Process Overview for CHAS Renewal
Three months before expiration, holders of active CHAS cards may have their cards renewed automatically.
According to the most recent household circumstances (including income and composition), one’s eligibility will be assessed, and the conclusion of the renewal will be communicated in a letter.
However, a renewal invitation package will be delivered around three months before the card expires if more information is needed to reevaluate one’s CHAS eligibility.
It is strongly advised to submit the renewal for CHAS online by checking in with a SingPass account in light of the social-distancing rules to stop the expansion of COVID-19. Alternatively, the hardcopy form may be filled out, signed, and mailed.
To continue receiving CHAS subsidies when your existing card expires, you must submit a renewal online or via a hardcopy form if no renewal letter was received one month prior to the card’s expiration.
Ways to Renew
It is strongly advised to register for CHAS through the online application given the safe distance precautions being taken to stop the spread of COVID-19. Singapore citizens can register for CHAS online for their household members if they are 21 years of age or older.
As an alternative, you can download a paper application form from this page. Please send the form—along with any necessary supporting materials—to P.O. Box 680, Bukit Merah Central Post Office, Singapore 911536 once it has been completed.
Your registration will typically be processed in about 15 working days of the day it was received with all required materials.
Visit the online CHAS application page and log in with your SingPass if you haven’t heard anything after 15 working days. You could also contact the hotline for CHAS to find out the status of your application or for help with the process.
Successful candidates will be given a card that shows the CHAS subsidy tier they’re qualified for, along with a welcome package that includes instructions on how to use the card. Unless specified otherwise, CHAS cards are normally good for two years.
Holders of CHAS cards are advised to consistently see the same family physician so that the doctor is familiar with both their own and their family’s medical histories. This will make it possible for their doctors to handle their medical ailments in an efficient and comprehensive way.
Conditions for Renewal
For CHAS, all Singaporeans are qualified. The household monthly income per person or the annual value (AV) of the residence will determine which category the CHAS benefits fall under.
Although every Singaporean is eligible for CHAS, enrollment is still done through applications. Homes must submit an application in order to get CHAS subsidies.
Singaporeans who have a Public Assistance (PA) card do not need to apply for CHAS because they can already obtain the full subsidy by displaying their PA card.
Advantages of Renewal
The CHAS card’s color—CHAS Blue, Orange, or Green—indicates the subsidy tier to which cardholders are eligible. At CHAS clinics, all seniors from the Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) receive additional special subsidies.
The amount that cardholders will pay will be determined by the clinic’s expenses less any CHAS subsidies. Prior to each visit, cardholders may want to inquire about the costs at the CHAS clinics.
Please be aware that cardholders who use their CHAS/MG/PG cards and/or take CHAS subsidies at a CHAS clinic authorize their doctor or dentist to provide the Ministry of Health with their personal information (including its authorized agents). For further information on the CHAS patient consent provisions, please visit here.
