Budget 2019 debate: All Singaporeans with chronic illnesses to get CHAS subsidies from 1 Nov
From 1 November, all Singaporeans with chronic illnesses will stand to benefit from subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Those who have already qualified for the scheme will receive bigger subsidies as well
Senior Minister of State for Health, Edwin Tong, announced the changes in Parliament on Wednesday (6 March) during the Committee of Supply (COS) debate on his ministry’s budget.
New CHAS Green tier
Under the amended scheme, a new CHAS Green tier will be introduced for households with a monthly per capita income of more than $1,800 or a home with an annual value of more than $21,000.
Those under the tier will get a CHAS Green card, which allows them to receive up to $112 in yearly subsidies for a simple chronic condition such as diabetes or hypertension, or up to $160 if they have a complex condition, which is one with complications or multiple chronic conditions.
The CHAS Green tier is in addition to the existing CHAS Orange and CHAS Blue, which subsidise treatment for common illnesses, chronic health problems and selected dental issues for lower- to middle-income Singaporean households respectively.
More subsidies for existing cardholders
Besides this new tier, existing cardholders will also see an increase of up to $20 in their annual subsidies. They can receive up to $500 in annual chronic subsidies.
Furthermore, there will be additional subsidies for CHAS Orange cardholders – up to $10 in subsidy per visit for common illnesses, such as cough and cold, at CHAS GP clinics.
In announcing these changes, Tong said that it signals a “major philosophical shift” for the Singapore government. He added, “Singapore has never had universal subsidies for GP care, but we believe this will help Singaporeans as they grow old, and also allow for a greater anchoring of chronic care in the community, and… to facilitate the seeking of early treatment as far as possible.”
Tong said that, in 2018, about 630,000 patients benefitted from CHAS. The government expects to pay out more than $200 million per year on CHAS subsidies.
Simplifying the application process
He added that the Ministry of Health is looking into ways to simplify the application process for CHAS. It is developing an online application, which is expected to be ready by September 2019.
Singaporeans who were aged 16 and older in 1965, referred to as the Pioneer Generation, enjoy Chas benefits regardless of income. From 1 November, members of the Merdeka Generation, who were born in the 1950s and are in their 60s now, will also qualify for Chas benefits regardless of income.
Annual subsidies for the Merdeka Generation will be capped at $340 for simple conditions and $520 for complex conditions.
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