FAQs

1. What is the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)?

CHAS, formerly known as the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS), is a scheme that enables middle to lower income Singaporeans, aged 40 and above or who are disabled, to seek subsidised primary care at participating GP and dental clinics near their homes. Singaporeans who qualify for CHAS will receive a Health Assist card.

2. Who is eligible for CHAS?

The following persons are eligible for CHAS:

Singapore citizens aged 40 and above, or with disabilities (i.e. unable to perform 1 out of 6 activities of daily living such as feeding, transferring, washing/bathing, toileting, dressing, and mobility); and meets the following income criteria:

• Per capita monthly household income of $1,500 or below for economically active households; or
• Economically inactive households whose Annual Value(AV) of their residence reflected in their NRIC is $13,000 or below

Singaporeans on the Public Assistance (PA) scheme will also be eligible for CHAS subsidies.

3. What does CHAS cover?

CHAS covers the following:

• Common medical illnesses e.g. cold/cough/fever
• Ten chronic conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP):
1. Diabetes Mellitus
2. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
3. Lipid Disorders e.g. high cholesterol
4. Stroke
5. Asthma
6. COPD
7. Schizophrenia
8. Major depression
9. Dementia
10. Bipolar disorder

• Dental services, including dentures, root canal treatments and crowns.

4. How much subsidies can I receive under CHAS?

From 15 Jan 12, there will be 2 tiers of subsidy under CHAS, depending on the monthly per capita household income level of the cardholder.

Explanatory Notes:
* An Annual Value of $13,000 and below covers most HDB flats.
^ Per year limit is dependent on the severity of patient’s chronic condition. Tier 1 patients have single disease, while Tier 2 patients have more than one chronic disease or disease(s) with complications

5. Why is there a need for 2 subsidy tiers?

The subsidy tiers are in place to ensure that healthcare subsidies are better targeted at the lower income Singaporeans who need more assistance with their outpatient medical expenses.

6. Why is the per-capita income cut-off $1,500 per household?

The income cut-off is to allow us to better target limited healthcare subsidies at lower income Singaporeans who need the assistance most.

7. How can I apply for the scheme?

Application forms are available at any polyclinic, restructured hospital, CDC and Community Centre/Club (CC). Alternatively, the forms can also be downloaded from this website. You and your family members only need to submit one set of application form with the following supporting documents:

• A copy of your NRIC and your family members’ NRIC; and
• For household members earning above $5,000 or are non-Singaporeans/permanent residents, they need to declare their income.

You may send your completed application form and the supporting documents to P.O. Box 680, Bukit Merah Central Post Office, Singapore 911536 using the pre-paid business reply envelopes.

Disability Assessment for Disabled CHAS Applicants

If you have a disability, you will also need to undergo a disability assessment by a MOH-accredited disability assessor. The disability assessor will evaluate your ability to perform the activities of Daily Living (ADLs, such as washing / bathing; toileting; transferring; feeding; dressing; and mobility). You will have to bear the cost of disability assessment.

8. Who will conduct the disability assessment?

MOH appoints private GPs to conduct the disability assessments. You can find the list of MOH-accredited disability assessors here.

9. What is per capita monthly household income and how is it derived?

Per capita monthly household income is derived by taking the total income of the household divided by the total number of family members in the household.

The income of dependants below aged 21 would not be considered in the derivation of per capita monthly household income, though they would be included in the tally of the number of members in the household.

For illustrations on per capita monthly household income, please click here.

10. What will be considered for household income?

For family members who are salaried employees, their income will be based on the average monthly income received over the last available 12-month period, including bonuses.

For family members who are self-employed, their income will be based on either: a) the monthly income derived from the last available net trade income assessed by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore within the last 2 assessment years; or b) the income declared to the CPF Board or the income assumed under CPF laws within the last 2 years.

11. Why do family members who are foreigners need to declare their income?

As foreigners do not need to make CPF contributions, their income information cannot be retrieved from CPF Board. Hence, they would need to declare their income, if any.

12. Who will be considered as part of the household?

All related family members living at the same residential address will be considered as part of the household.

13. Why does everyone need to give consent for their income to be retrieved from CPF Board and IRAS?

MOH needs each family member's consent, to retrieve their income data from CPF Board and IRAS, in order to compute the per capita income of the household.

14. Can my family member provide consent on my behalf?

No, to protect each individual's privacy, family members are not allowed to give consent on each other's behalf.

15. Does the giving of consent to retrieve income information from CPF Board and IRAS imply that the income of all my family members and myself will be disclosed?

No. We will not disclose any information on income to the main applicant or the members in his household. The consent is to enable MOH to retrieve the income data and assess if the household meets the income criteria for CHAS. Only the eventual result i.e. whether the family qualifies for CHAS, and which tier, will be communicated to the applicant and his family.

16. What happens if I cannot get all my family members to provide consent?

For family members who are mentally incapacitated and are unable to provide consent, we would need certification from any registered doctor about the person's status and inability to give signed consent. This family member will be taken into consideration when we tally the total household members.

If any of your family members are not able to provide their consent for any other reason, please indicate in the application form the name of the family member and why he is unable to give consent. We will assess and liaise with you if further information is required.

17. How will I know that my application is successful?

Successful applicants will receive a welcome pack which will include either a blue or an orange Health Assist Card, depending on the subsidy tier the applicant is eligible for. Information on the use of the card and the list of participating GP and dental clinics will also be included.

18. What is the approximate processing time for the application?

Duly completed application forms will be processed within 10 working days. 

19. How do I use my Health Assist card?

To receive subsidised treatment, you must produce the Health Assist card together with your NRIC during every visit at participating GP and dental clinics.

20. Can my Health Assist card be shared with my family members?

No, the Health Assist card is non-transferable. You must produce the card together with your NRIC at each visit to the GP or dentist.

21. Does the Health Assist card have a validity period? What happens when the card expires?

The card is valid for 2 years. To renew your card, you will need to submit a new application form.

22. What should I do if I lose my card? How can I get a replacement card if I have lost my card?

You should contact CHAS hotline 1800 275 2427 immediately for a replacement card.

23. If my household income level changes within the 2 year validity period, will I be moved from 1 subsidy tier to the next?

Changes in income within the 2 year validity period will not change the subsidy tier that you are eligible for.

24. I am currently holding a Community Medical Benefits Card. Do I need to apply for the Health Assist Card?

No, you will not need to apply again. Existing members holding the Community Medical Benefits Card will be eligible for subsidies under CHAS Subsidy Blue Tier untill their card expires.

25. I joined PCPS (known as CHAS now) before Jan 12. With the new age criteria of 40, some of my family members now could qualify for the scheme, what should I do?

Your family members can submit a new application form.

26. Can I use the Health Assist card at any private GP and dental clinic? How do I know whether a clinic is participating in CHAS?

No, not all GPs and dental clinics are participating in the scheme. All participating clinics will display a decal of the CHAS logo on their doors.

27. Where can I find the list of participating clinics and which clinics can I visit?

You will be given a list of participating GP and dental clinics when you receive your Health Assist Card.

The most updated list of participating clinics can also be found:-

• www.chas.sg
• www.moh.gov.sg (http://www.moh.gov.sg – under Healthcare Financing > Community Health Assist Scheme).

28. What are the likely fees that I have to pay at the participating clinic using my Card?

Patients are expected to co-pay for their treatment under CHAS. Participating private GPs and dentists will charge CHAS patients reasonable fees for the common medical treatments and basic dental services covered under the scheme.

Patients are encouraged to check with their doctor on the likely fees that they will be charged prior to consultation, as the treatment required would vary according to each patient's condition.

A typical bill would include components such as consultation, medical/drugs and investigation/tests. The GP would subtract the amount of CHAS subsidy applicable for the visit, and charge the remaining amount to the patient. With the CHAS subsidy, patients can expect to pay closer to what the polyclinics would charge.

Example:

29. Can I also use Medisave to help pay for my bill after deducting the CHAS subsidy?

Yes. Medisave can be used to co-pay the cost of treatment after deducting the CHAS subsidy for chronic conditions. The prevailing Medisave rules and withdrawal limits would apply. Medisave can only be used to co-pay the remaining bill after deducting the CHAS subsidy. The first $30 and a co-payment of 15% of the remaining bill after deducting the CHAS subsidy will still need to be paid in cash. The rest can be claimed from Medisave. Patients can use their own or their immediate family members’ Medisave accounts, up to the withdrawal limit of $400 per account for outpatient treatment of chronic conditions.

Example:

30. Under the chronic conditions, there are different tiers of subsidy capped either at $320 or $480 a year for the Blue Card and $200 or $300 a year for the orange card. How do I know which tier I fall under?

The tier is determined based on your medical condition and your General Practitioner (GP) will advise you accordingly.

31. Can I visit a general practitioner to seek treatment for my chronic and acute illnesses simultaneously?

Yes, you are able to seek treatment for your chronic and acute illnesses simultaneously. However, you will be subsidised only for the primary purpose of visit, i.e. if your primary purpose is to follow up on your hypertension treatment but at the same time seek treatment for flu, you would only be subsidised for the hypertension treatment.

32. Is there a limit on the number of visits I can make?

You are encouraged to see the same family doctor every time you are unwell so that the doctor can familiarise himself with your personal and family's medical history. This will enable him to better manage your medical conditions more effectively and holistically. For acute and chronic conditions, it is not expected that more than four visits per month would be required. For chronic conditions, it is also not expected that more than four visits a month would be required, subjected to annual subsidy cap (based on calendar year). These guidelines are put in place to ensure that multiple visits are carefully reviewed for potentially more serious underlying conditions that may require specialist or hospital care.

33. Can my GP refer me to a Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC)? Will I be subsidised for my SOC visit?

Yes, GPs participating in CHAS can make subsidised referrals for Health Assist cardholders to SOCs. Health Assist cardholders must still bring along their Health Assist card together with their NRIC for verification, in addition to the CHAS Cover Note for subsidised specialist outpatient care at Restructured Hospital and referral letter from their CHAS GP.

34. Does CHAS cover house calls made by GPs?

CHAS does not cover house calls made by CHAS-accredited doctors to see patients for acute medical conditions only e.g. cold/cough. For the treatment and management of chronic conditions, patients may choose to receive such treatment at home and can arrange this with their family physician who has to be CHAS accredited. However, patients should be aware that such services often involve additional cost. As the CHAS subsidy is fixed, this additional cost would have to be borne by the patient.

35. Can I use the Health Assist card at the polyclinic?

There are no further subsidies for consultation and treatment for Health Assist cardholders at polyclinics. However, from early 2012, Health Assist cardholders will be eligible for higher subsidies for selected higher-cost standard drugs required for their chronic conditions covered under CHAS.

36. If I am currently being seen at the polyclinic for my chronic conditions but wish to seek treatment with my GP clinic under CHAS, what do I need to do to ensure continuity of care?

You may wish to inform your polyclinic doctor of your request and obtain a memo from him. The memo should indicate your condition, the medications that you are taking and latest test results, if any. This memo could be presented to your GP on your first visit to the clinic.

37. Who can I complain to if I am unhappy with the treatment provided?

You may contact the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) or the Singapore Dental Council (SDC), which are the regulatory authorities charged with guarding against medical/dental incompetence and professional negligence committed by doctors or dentists respectively.

38. Who should I contact if I have further queries on CHAS?

Patients with further queries, in particular on the application process or status of their applications for CHAS, should call the CHAS hotline at 1800 275 2427, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm.