Ultimate Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Card Singapore Guide

Even if you’re extremely healthy today, you never know what will happen to your health in the future. This is why you need to be ready to face whatever life throws at you. If not, health issues could put a damper on your savings and investments that you worked so hard for.

Thankfully, Singaporeans have the Community Health Assist Scheme, also known as CHAS, to help them. Those who have a CHAS card can receive medical care for complex chronic diseases and acute illnesses in an affordable way as long as they go to participating dental clinics and healthcare centres. Want to know more about CHAS card? Keep on reading.

• What is CHAS?
• What is covered by CHAS?
  • Common illnesses
  • Chronic conditions
  • Dental services
  • Free surgical mask collection
  • HPV Vaccination
• CHAS Card Eligibility Criteria and Subsidies Covered
• How to Apply for CHAS card
  • Online application
  • Physical application
• How to Renew your CHAS Membership
• How to receive subsidies
• How to check your balance
• What happens if you lose your CHAS card?
• Can you still use MediSave after deducting your CHAS subsidy?
• All Singaporeans Can Benefit from Having a CHAS Card

In 2000 the Ministry of Health set up CHAS to give financial subsidies for dental and medical care. Of all medical schemes in the country, CHAS stands out especially when it comes to demographic and medical service coverages.

Those who are eligible for a CHAS card can simply present their card to participating institutions. People who have the CHAS Merdeka Generation, Pioneer Generation, Blue, and Orange cards can get subsidies for dental care.

There are three major areas covered by CHAS. Let’s take a look at it below.

Common illnesses refer to occasional acute conditions. It doesn’t require long-term follow-up, and it can usually be solved with rest and medication.

These cover progressive illnesses that need long-term care and medication. It covers both mental and physical illnesses.

Dental services include x-ray appointments, consultations, and other treatment plans related to dental health.

People with a CHAS blue or orange card can collect a box of Air+ medical-grade surgical masks (50 pieces). This can be collected at selected malls and supermarkets. Unfortunately, this offer ended on 13 March 2022.

In relation to Singapore’s effort to encourage more women to take the HPV vaccine, those who have a valid CHAS Orange and Blue card can get vaccinated for free. This is funded by the Temasek Foundation in partnership with the Singapore Cancer Society. It is valid until 30 October 2022.

**inapplicable for CHAS orange card. These are mostly dental services.

***only claimable at selected clinics in the country. These are mostly mental conditions.

After determining the tier you fall under based on the table above, you need to see the amount of subsidies you’re entitled to. Take a look at this table below to learn more about it.

On top of these subsidies, Merdeka Generation cardholders can also get an additional 25% discount on subsidised services and medication in public clinics.

Here are the different ways you can follow if you want to learn how to apply for a CHAS card.

This is the simplest way to apply for a CHAS card. To do this visit the application portal on the CHAS website and log in using your SingPass. Fill up your personal details, and you’re all set.

Those above 21 years old can apply on behalf of their family members. However, these are needed:

• Full names
• NRIC
• FIN numbers
• Birth Certificate
• Contact numbers

You can also mail a hard copy of the application form. You can download it here or get the form from a community or public hospitals, as well as polyclinics and community centres.

After completing the form, mail it with your supporting documents to the CHAS office at P.O. Box 680, Bukit Merah Central Post Office.

After your application is approved, you will receive a CHAS card that indicates the tier you/your family are eligible for. The application process usually takes up to 15 days. If you still haven’t received any news or updates, you can check your application status on the CHAS website. Alternatively, you can also call the CHAS hotline at 1800-275-2427.

You need to renew your CHAS card every two years. Three months before your card expires, you will receive a renewal invitation.

During your renewal, your card eligibility will be reassessed based on your latest income. You will be informed if there are changes to the tier you’re in.

Meanwhile, Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cards are valid for life. Never let your CHAS card expire because you may miss out on subsidies.

If your household was not automatically processed for renewal or you did not receive a renewal letter a month before your card’s expiry, you can submit a  renewal application online or through a hardcopy form.

You need to visit a participating clinic to get a subsidy. These clinics usually have a CHAS sticker to help you identify them. Thankfully, you don’t need an appointment to get the healthcare attention you need. All you need to do to receive services is to bring the following:

• NRIC
• Birth certificate or student information for CHAS cardholders 15 years old or younger
• CHAS, Merdeka Generation, Pioneer Generation, or Public Assistance Card, or a certificate that proves your chronic condition

After the provider checks your card validity, identification, and certificate, they will offer you a subsidy by deducting it from your total bill.

To make it easier for you to check how much subsidy you have left on your CHAS card, you can visit the CHAS website. You can also call a CHAS representative to confirm it. Your limit will be refreshed every year.

For a damaged or lost CHAS card, you can submit a replacement request here. You can also call the CHAS hotline to submit a replacement request.

This is one of the most common questions of Singaporeans. Fortunately, the answer is yes. You can still take advantage of your MediSave to co-pay your remaining bill after the CHAS card deduction has been made. After these two subsidies have been deducted from your medical bill, you only need to pay 15% of the remaining balance in cash.

You can also use up to the S$500 annual withdrawal limit on your own or with your immediate family members.

No matter how healthy you think you are today, you must take action and apply for a CHAS card. Through this initiative, you can make healthcare more affordable so whether you’re facing a simple illness or a chronic condition, you can minimise the costs associated with its treatment.