CHAS Dental Subsidies

Most of us are aware that the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) provides subsidies to cardholders for medical care.

But do you know that CHAS cardholders can also receive CHAS subsidies for dental services at participating dental clinics like Ocean Dental?

By the end of this article, you’re going to learn about:

• What is CHAS
• How does CHAS dental subsidy scheme work
• How much dental CHAS subsidies can you get
• Types of CHAS card and eligibility

What is Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)?

The Community Health Assist Scheme, in short CHAS, is a Singapore government initiative launched in 2012 to help Singaporeans with their medical and dental expenses at participating GP and dental clinics.

The aim of the scheme is to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for lower to middle-income individuals and families.

As a token of appreciation to the Merdeka Generation (MG) and Pioneer Generation (PG) who have contributed significantly to Singapore’s development, citizens of these generations are rewarded with CHAS benefits as well.

How does CHAS dental subsidy scheme work

Under CHAS, cardholders can receive subsidies for various dental procedures, such as consultations, scaling, polishing, fillings, extractions, root canal treatments, crowns and dentures at CHAS clinics.

The amount of subsidy varies depending on the tier of CHAS card and the dental treatment.

CHAS dental subsidy is available at participating dental clinics in Singapore. CHAS dental clinics will usually display the CHAS stickers.

In order for CHAS cardholders to enjoy the benefits, all you need to do is to present your NRIC/ birth certificate and valid CHAS card (available via digital format at Singpass mobile app) at participating clinics during registration.

The amount that cardholders pay will be based on the fees charged by the clinic, minus the CHAS subsidies. The fees will vary according to each patient’s condition and clinic’s charges.

There are also claim limits on each treatment usually for each calendar year, so do remember to check with the clinic on the likely fees that you need to pay before receiving treatment at each visit.

Summary of how CHAS dental subsidy works

1. Check your Eligibility: Ensure that you hold a valid CHAS card which determines the subsidy tier you are entitled to.
   
   
2. Find a CHAS Accredited Dental Clinic: Locate a dental clinic like Ocean Dental that participates in the CHAS scheme.
   
   
3. Schedule an Appointment: Book an appointment for a qualifying dental service, and inform the clinic that you will be using your CHAS card.
   
   
4. Present your CHAS Card: On the day of the appointment, present your CHAS card during registration. The dental clinic will verify your eligibility and apply the corresponding subsidy to the bill.
   
   
5. Receive Treatment: Receive the necessary dental care, knowing that the CHAS subsidy has been applied to reduce the cost for eligible treatments.
   
   
6. Payment: Pay the remaining amount on your dental bill after the CHAS subsidy has been deducted according to CHAS claim guidelines.

How much dental CHAS subsidies can you get?

The amount of subsidy varies depending on the type of CHAS card – Green, Orange, Blue, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation.

Only holders of CHAS Orange, CHAS Blue, Merdeka Generation (MG), and Pioneer Generation (PG) cards are eligible for the CHAS dental subsidies and CHAS green card is not applicable for any dental subsidy.

The table below shows the dental treatments eligible for CHAS subsidies, the claim limits and subsidy amount for each service according to different CHAS tiers.

Types of CHAS cards

There are a total of five different CHAS cards available – Green, Orange, Blue, Merdeka Generation (MG) and Pioneer Generation (PG). Each of these represents a different subsidy tier.

Additionally, Singapore citizens with the Public Assistance (PA) card will be eligible for full CHAS dental subsidy without applying for CHAS.

Eligibility

All Singapore Citizens are eligible for CHAS. The CHAS benefits will be tiered according to household monthly income per person or the Annual Value (AV) of the home, as indicated in the table below:

^ Household monthly income per person is the total gross household income (per month) divided by the total number of family members living together.

^^ Annual Value is the estimated gross annual rent of a property if it were to be rented out, excluding furnishings and maintenance fees.

Dental Subsidies for Seniors in Singapore

In Singapore, the government offers dental subsidies to seniors through two main packages: the Pioneer Generation (PG) Package and the Merdeka Generation (MG) Package.

These subsidies help ensure that senior citizens have access to affordable dental care, which includes routine treatments like scaling and polishing, fillings, extractions, and more complex procedures like root canal treatment, crowns and dentures.

1. Pioneer Generation (PG) Dental Subsidies

The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced to support seniors who were born on or before 31 December 1949 and became Singapore citizens before 31 December 1986.

Pioneers receive the highest level of subsidies available under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).

• Eligibility: Those born before 31 December 1949 and who became citizens before 31 December 1986.
  
  
• Subsidies for Dental Care: Pioneers receive the highest tier of CHAS subsidies, covering both basic and complex dental treatments.
  
  This includes:
  
  • Scaling and Polishing: PG cardholders receive a subsidy of $70.50, available twice a year for these routine dental services.
    
    
  • Extractions, Fillings, Dentures: Pioneers are eligible for higher subsidies for more complex procedures, significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs.

2. Merdeka Generation (MG) Dental Subsidies

The Merdeka Generation Package targets seniors born between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1959 who became Singapore citizens by 1996.

Although the subsidies for the Merdeka Generation are slightly lower than those for the Pioneer Generation, they are still enhanced compared to regular CHAS subsidies.

• Eligibility: Born between 1950-1959 and became citizens by 1996.
  
  
• CHAS Dental Subsidies: Merdeka Generation seniors enjoy significant discounts on dental care, with:
  
  
  • Scaling and Polishing: MG cardholders are entitled to a subsidy of $60.50, available twice a year.
    
    
  • Other Procedures: Enhanced subsidies apply for treatments like fillings, extractions, and dentures, though these are lower than those offered to PG members.

3. General Seniors’ Dental Subsidies (CHAS)

Seniors who do not belong to the PG or MG groups are still eligible for dental subsidies through CHAS.

These subsidies are income-based, and seniors with lower incomes receive higher subsidies under CHAS Blue or CHAS Orange cards.

Application for CHAS card

Even though every Singapore Citizen is eligible for CHAS, the enrolment onto CHAS is currently still on an application basis.

To enjoy subsidies under CHAS, households are required to submit an application. Application can be done via CHAS online portal or by using a hardcopy application form.

More information regarding CHAS application can be found on CHAS website or contact via the CHAS hotline at 1800-275-2427 (1800-ASK-CHAS).

Summary

CHAS provides subsidies to eligible Singapore citizens for selected dental services at participating CHAS clinics and utilizing these benefits is simple!

All you need to do is to present your CHAS card during registration and the clinic will settle the rest for you! For more information, feel free to contact us!

At Ocean Dental, we believe that a confident smile starts with a nice set of teeth and achieving that should be hassle-free. As a CHAS participating dental clinic, we are committed to providing accessible and quality healthcare services to all Singapore citizens.

To utilize your CHAS benefits for selected dental procedure at Ocean Dental or contact us at 62663011/ 96366118 (Whatsapp) for more information!