In Singapore, the cost of healthcare can sometimes feel overwhelming, but the government has put in place several schemes to make it more affordable. Among these are the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Medisave, and Integrated Health plans. Many Singaporeans wonder whether they can combine these benefits to further reduce out-of-pocket costs. Understanding how CHAS subsidies work alongside Medisave and insurance plans can help you make the most of your healthcare options.
What Are CHAS Subsidies?
The Community Health Assist Scheme, more commonly known as CHAS, is a government programme designed to help Singapore Citizens access affordable medical and dental care at participating General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics. CHAS provides subsidies for treatment of common illnesses, chronic disease management, health screenings, and even selected vaccinations.
The amount of subsidy you receive depends on your household monthly income per person or the annual value of your home. There are different tiers—Blue, Orange, and Green—with varying levels of support. For instance, seniors on the Blue tier receive the highest subsidies for chronic conditions, while those on the Green tier may only enjoy basic benefits like selected screenings.
CHAS subsidies are applied directly at the point of care, meaning you pay a reduced amount upfront without needing to file for reimbursement later.
How Medisave Works
Medisave is a national medical savings scheme where a portion of your monthly CPF contributions is set aside specifically for healthcare needs. You can use your Medisave savings for approved outpatient treatments, hospitalisation costs, day surgeries, and even long-term care.
For example, under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), you can use up to a set amount each year from your Medisave account to pay for outpatient treatments of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma. Medisave also helps cover screening packages and vaccinations recommended under certain national health programmes.
This scheme reduces the need for immediate out-of-pocket expenses while ensuring you have funds available when medical care is required.
Combining CHAS Subsidies with Medisave
Yes, in many cases you can combine CHAS subsidies with Medisave to offset your medical costs even further. Here’s how it typically works:
When you visit a CHAS-accredited clinic for treatment of a chronic illness, your consultation fee will be reduced by the applicable CHAS subsidy. After the subsidy is applied, you can use your Medisave savings to pay the remaining balance. This layered approach ensures you maximise all available financial support.
For example, if your chronic disease consultation costs $80, CHAS may subsidise $50, leaving a balance of $30. You can then use your Medisave to pay the remaining $30, minimising your out-of-pocket spending. This combination is particularly helpful for seniors and families managing long-term medical needs.
What About Private Insurance?
Private insurance, such as Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) or other health policies, generally provides coverage for hospitalisation, surgical procedures, and sometimes outpatient care. However, most private insurance policies do not directly integrate with CHAS subsidies at GP clinics because they are designed to reimburse you for larger medical expenses.
That said, you can still use your insurance coverage separately for hospital stays or specialist care while relying on CHAS and Medisave for primary care at GP clinics. It’s important to read the terms of your insurance policy carefully to understand what’s covered.
Can You Use All Three Together?
In most outpatient scenarios, CHAS and Medisave are used together more frequently, while private insurance is reserved for larger bills such as hospital stays or day surgeries. For instance, if you are visiting a GP for routine chronic care, you can apply CHAS subsidies first and then use Medisave for the remaining balance. Private insurance would not typically apply in this context.
However, if you are hospitalised, your bill can be offset by a combination of insurance payouts and Medisave withdrawals. CHAS would not come into play because it is designed for primary care settings.
So while all three schemes help reduce costs, they apply to different layers of care. CHAS is for GP-level care, Medisave is for outpatient and hospital care, and insurance is mainly for inpatient or higher-cost medical events.
How Healthier SG Fits In
The Healthier SG programme encourages Singapore residents to focus on preventive care by enrolling with a family doctor. While separate from CHAS, Healthier SG works hand in hand with existing schemes. Patients enrolled in Healthier SG receive fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at their chosen clinic, complementing the financial support of CHAS and Medisave.
If you already benefit from CHAS healthcare subsidies, enrolling in Healthier SG can enhance your access to affordable preventive care without additional cost. This means you can better manage chronic conditions early and avoid costly treatments later.
Maximising Your Benefits
To make the most of these schemes:
- Always visit CHAS-accredited clinics for primary care so that subsidies can be applied directly.
- Use your MediSave for chronic disease management or recommended screenings to preserve cash flow.
- Review your insurance policy to see what additional coverage you have for hospital stays or specialist care.
- Consider Healthier SG enrolment for enhanced preventive care and early detection services.
By understanding how each scheme applies, you can effectively minimise your healthcare expenses while ensuring you receive the necessary care.
Conclusion
Combining CHAS medical subsidies, Medisave, and private insurance can significantly ease the financial burden of healthcare in Singapore. While you cannot always use all three simultaneously for the same bill, knowing when and how each applies ensures you get the maximum benefit.
CHAS is best for GP visits and basic screenings, Medisave covers chronic care and hospital-related costs, and private insurance protects you from large unexpected medical bills.
If you are unsure about which benefits you qualify for, speak to your family doctor or a CHAS-accredited clinic. They can guide you on the available subsidies and how to combine them with Medisave for your treatment needs.
Take Charge of Your Health with Keystone Clinic & Surgery
At Keystone Clinic & Surgery, we are a CHAS-accredited clinic committed to making healthcare affordable and accessible. Whether you’re managing a chronic illness, need preventive screenings, or want to learn more about how to maximise CHAS subsidies, Medisave, and insurance, our team is here to help. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards better health management.
References
Chas.sg. FAQs. https://www.chas.sg/Pages/FAQs.aspx
Moh.gov.sg. MediSave. https://www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/medisave
Healthhub.sg. Community Health Assist Scheme. https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/costs-and-financing/chas