Did you know it’s been seven years since the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) first started?

Introduced in 2012, CHAS has benefitted Singapore Citizens from lower to middle-income households, and the Pioneer Generation, to receive subsidies at participating General Practitioners (GP) and dental clinics near their home.

From November 2019, CHAS goes further. With the introduction of a new Green CHAS card, all Singaporeans with chronic health conditions, regardless of income, will be eligible for enhanced subsidies at CHAS clinics. Together with the current blue and orange cards, CHAS subsidies form a big part of efforts to bring affordable healthcare to you.

Here's what the three coloured CHAS cards look like

What’s New for CHAS?

In brief, here are the following enhancements:

• A new green CHAS card
• Increase in subsidies for multiple chronic conditions for both orange and blue CHAS cardholders
• Orange CHAS cardholders will receive subsidies for common illnesses
• Merdeka Generation seniors will receive special subsidies for medical and dental care at outpatient and dental clinics

Here is an in-depth look at the new CHAS green card and enhancements to the existing orange and blue cards:

New CHAS Green Card and its Benefits

Out of the many enhancements to CHAS this year, most of the focus has been on the all new green CHAS card. Those with chronic illnesses (regardless of income level) will benefit from the green CHAS card starting November. These are what cardholders will get:

• Up to $28 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $112 a year) for one chronic condition
• Up to $40 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $160 a year) for multiple chronic conditions

Enhancements to the Orange and Blue CHAS Cards

CHAS Card	Conditions	Existing Subsidy	New Subsidy (from 1 November 2019)
CHAS Orange Card Eligibility Criteria Household monthly income per person is between $1,101 - $1,800 (for households with income). Annual Value of home is between $13,001 - $21,000 (for households with no income).	Common illnesses (like cold or cough)	None	Up to $10 subsidy for each doctor’s visit
	Multiple Chronic Conditions	Up to $75 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $300 a year)	Up to $80 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $320 a year)
CHAS Blue Card Eligibility Criteria Household monthly income per person is $1,100 and below (for households with income). Annual Value of home is $13,001 and below (for households with no income).	Multiple Chronic Conditions	Up to $120 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $480 a year)	Up to $125 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $500 a year)

What’s for Pioneer and Merdeka Generation Cardholders?

Card	Common Illnesses	One Chronic Condition	Multiple Chronic Conditions	Selected Dental Services	Recommended Health Screening under Screen for Life
Merdeka Generation Card	Up to $23.50 subsidy for each doctor’s visit	Up to $85 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $340 a year)	Up to $130 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $520 a year)	Between $16 and $261.50 subsidy for each procedure	A fixed fee of $2 with Screen for Life Invitation letter, for recommended screening test(s), and first post-screening consultation (if applicable)
	Starting from 1 November 2019
Pioneer Generation Card	Up to $28.50 subsidy for each doctor’s visit	Up to $90 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $360 a year)	Up to $135 subsidy for each doctor’s visit (capped at $540 a year)	Between $21 and $266.50 subsidy for each procedure	Free with Screen for Life Invitation letter, for recommended screening test(s), and first post-screening consultation (if applicable)

How to apply for CHAS

The most convenient way is through online application from September 2019. Your application will be processed within 15 working days from the date of receiving the completed application form. For now, you can fill up application forms which are available at:

• Any Community Centre or Club (CC)
• Community Development Council (CDC)
• Public Hospital or Polyclinic

Alternatively, you can also download the form here, and mail your completed application form, along with supporting documents, to this address:

P.O. Box 680
Bukit Merah Central Post Office
Singapore 911536

To find out more about the CHAS enhancements, visit CHAS.sg.

CHAS Carnival 2019 (Event Ended)

Wish to find out more or get a better understanding about all things CHAS? Make a date with us at the CHAS Carnival 2019 on 27 and 28 July 2019 at the Toa Payoh HDB Hub, Atrium.

Gather your family and friends for a fun-filled weekend of activities, fitness classes and goodie bags. You can also take the opportunity to sign up for the green CHAS card on the spot.

There will also be free fitness classes such as Piloxing, barre, cardio kickboxing, KpopX fitness, High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) and Zumba.

If you have any questions about chronic conditions, get them answered at “Chit Chat with Health Experts”, where doctors and health professionals will be on hand to address common queries.

Fitness classes and Chit Chat sessions have limited spots available, so sign up now!