The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore recently announced that the existing national screening programme Screen for Life (SFL) has been renamed Healthier SG Screening. For many individuals who already rely on subsidised health screening services, this change can generate questions: will my benefits change? Will I need to pay more? Will eligibility rules shift? In this article, we break down what the renaming means and what it does not mean for your screening benefits and what you should still check for.
What Is Healthier SG Screening?
To clarify: Healthier SG Screening is the updated name for the national health screening programme formerly known as “Screen for Life (SFL).” The objective remains the same: to encourage Singapore Citizens (and in some cases Permanent Residents) to go for recommended health screenings and follow-ups.
Under Healthier SG Screening, eligible screening tests (such as for cardiovascular risks, colorectal cancer via FIT, cervical cancer, breast cancer, etc.) will continue to be subsidised, and one post-screening consultation (if required) is still covered under a fixed low fee at CHAS GP clinics.
Depending on enrolment status with a Healthier SG clinic, certain additional “special subsidies” may be available for screenings when you go to your enrolled clinic. In short: the renaming is largely a rebranding and alignment with the broader Healthier SG preventive care strategy.
What Remains the Same: Benefits That Don’t Change
One major reassurance: your existing benefits under SFL are preserved despite the renaming. According to MOH and related sources: Eligible Singapore Citizens and residents who qualified under SFL will continue to enjoy the same subsidised screening tests under Healthier SG Screening.
- The same scope of screening tests (e.g. FIT/colorectal cancer screening, cervical cancer, breast cancer, cardiovascular risk) remain included under the programme.
- The fixed low fees for eligible CHAS GP clinics remain for screening and post-screening consultations.
- For Singapore Citizens enrolled under Healthier SG with a named GP clinic, enhanced subsidy benefits may apply for screenings done at their enrolled clinic.
- There is no removal of existing eligibility or subsidised benefits just because of the renaming.
Hence, for many individuals, the name change will have little to no negative effect on their actual benefit entitlements.
What Might Change (or Be New)
Although core benefits remain intact, there are a few nuances and enhancements introduced by the Healthier SG framework that you should be aware of.
Enrolment and Clinic-Based Subsidies
Under Healthier SG Screening, Singapore Citizens enrolled with a Healthier SG clinic may access “special subsidies” when they take their screening tests at that clinic. This encourages continuity of care with one family doctor. The subsidies are intended to reduce the financial burden further when you use your “home” clinic for screening.
No Application Required
No extra application is needed to benefit from Healthier SG Screening — just be eligible, and go to a participating CHAS GP or polyclinic. However, it remains important to check whether your particular screening is due (age, last screening date, etc.).
Same Tests, Same Eligibility Criteria
The screening tests, eligibility criteria (by age, sex, interval), and subsidies remain consistent with those under SFL. This means your next screening schedule, test types, and subsidy tiers should not be altered simply because of the renaming.
Clarity and Consolidation with Healthier SG
By aligning with the broader Healthier SG strategy (which includes enrolment with a family doctor, personalized health plans, preventive care focus), there may be better integration of screening with lifestyle and chronic disease management programmes. Over time, this could mean more seamless follow-ups or reminders via your Healthier SG clinic.
What You Should Confirm (Just in Case)
Even though the changes are largely benign, there are a few details you should proactively check:
- Confirm that the GP or clinic you visit participates in Healthier SG Health Screening and accepts the subsidy.
- Verify whether the screening you need is covered under subsidies (age, prior test dates, etc.).
- Ask whether your clinic is your enrolled Healthier SG clinic (which may afford you extra subsidy benefits).
- For Permanent Residents, check with your clinic whether subsidy or special rates are available, as PRs may not get the full benefit package.
- Confirm that the one post-screening consultation (if needed) is included under the fixed subsidised fee.
As always, clinic staff or your doctor should be able to clarify these for your individual case.
Why the Renaming Matters (Beyond Semantics)
While the renaming does not strip away benefits, it serves a strategic purpose:
- Stronger alignment with Healthier SG preventive care model: Putting screening under the same umbrella as enrolment, chronic care, health plans, and lifestyle support.
- Encouraging continuity of care: By giving additional subsidies or convenience when screened at your enrolled clinic, the system nudges people to stick with one family doctor.
- Simplified communication and branding: For the public, a unified “Healthier SG” brand may make preventive health services more recognisable and cohesive.
- Potential for integrated digital systems: Over time, the consolidation could allow smoother sharing of screening results, follow-ups, reminders, and health tracking across platforms.
Thus, the renaming is more than cosmetic, it supports MOH’s vision of a more preventive, patient-centered healthcare ecosystem.
What You Should Do Now
Here are practical steps you can take to make sure you benefit fully:
- Check your eligibility: Use HealthHub or ask your GP whether you qualify for specific screening tests and subsidies.
- Ensure you are enrolled: If you haven’t already, enrol in Healthier SG and register with a participating clinic. This may unlock extra subsidy benefits.
- Go to your enrolled clinic when possible: Doing screenings at your enrolled Healthier SG clinic may provide better subsidy treatment.
- Ask the clinic staff: Confirm which tests, consultation and follow-up fees are covered under Healthier SG Medical Screening in your specific case.
- Keep track of your last screening dates: Because eligibility depends on intervals, keeping good records ensures you don’t miss out on subsidy or get charged unnecessarily.
- Stay informed: As parts of the Healthier SG framework roll out over time, new features or benefits may be introduced.
Conclusion
Renaming “Screen for Life (SFL)” to Healthier SG Screening does not remove the benefits you currently enjoy. Subsidised screening tests, a fixed fee for consultation and eligibility criteria largely remain the same.
One meaningful enhancement is that Singapore Citizens enrolled in Healthier SG may receive special subsidies if they perform their screening at their enrolled clinic. To ensure you enjoy all available benefits, be proactive: check eligibility, enrol in Healthier SG, and confirm coverage with your clinic.
The bottom line: the renaming is a positive step in integrating preventive health under a cohesive national strategy, it should not negatively impact your existing benefits, and may in fact bring stronger support in the long run.
Take Charge of Your Health with Keystone Clinic & Surgery
If you want clarity on how the Healthier SG Screening renaming affects your personal subsidies, or to see if your next screening is due, Keystone Clinic & Surgery is ready to assist. Schedule a screening consultation with us today to check your eligibility, review your benefits, and ensure you receive full subsidy support under Healthier SG Screening. Contact Keystone Clinic & Surgery now as your health is our commitment.
References
Healthhub.sg. Healthier SG Screening – National Health Screening Programme. https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/healthiersg-screening
Sg.news.yahoo.com. Health Screening in Singapore: What is Healthier SG Screening and the Subsidised Health Screenings Singaporeans Can Receive. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/health-screening-singapore-screen-life-040055369.html
Ask.gov.sg. What Happened to Screen for Life? Has It Been Discontinued?. https://ask.gov.sg/healthiersg/questions/cmb7ophun0013za2otmdvcpvf