Healthcare costs are among the top concerns for families caring for elderly loved ones in Singapore. Fortunately, the Singapore government has built a comprehensive framework of subsidies, schemes, and financial assistance programmes specifically designed to keep healthcare accessible and affordable for seniors. The challenge is not the lack of support but rather understanding what is available and how to access it.
This guide breaks down the key healthcare subsidies and assistance programmes that Singapore seniors and their families should know about.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
The Community Health Assist Scheme is one of the most widely used healthcare subsidies in Singapore. It provides subsidies for medical and dental care at participating General Practitioner (GP) clinics and dental clinics across the island.
Who Qualifies
CHAS eligibility is based on the annual value of the household's home and household income per person. There are three card tiers: CHAS Blue, CHAS Orange, and CHAS Green. Blue card holders receive the highest subsidies, while Green card holders, which cover most Singaporean households, receive more modest but still meaningful subsidies for chronic condition management.
All Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors automatically receive the highest CHAS benefits regardless of income level.
What It Covers
CHAS subsidies apply to consultations, common medications, and chronic disease management at participating clinics. For seniors managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or asthma, the subsidies can significantly reduce the regular cost of outpatient care.
Dental subsidies cover basic procedures including scaling, polishing, fillings, and extractions. This is particularly valuable for seniors, as dental health directly impacts nutrition and overall wellbeing.
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