Healthier SG Chronic Tier

To ensure affordability of common chronic medications at GP clinics and polyclinics, the Healthier SG Chronic Tier takes effect from February 2024. Under this subsidy framework, selected common chronic medications are offered to residents enrolled at Healthier SG GP clinics at subsidised rates comparable to polyclinics. The subsidies apply for treatment of chronic conditions only at the enrolled clinic.

Who is eligible for the Healthier SG Chronic Tier?

Under the Healthier SG subsidy framework, all Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) cardholders can get Healthier SG Chronic Tier subsidies for medications on the Healthier SG Medication List at their enrolled clinic.

Under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, CHAS/PG/MG cardholders can get selected medications for common chronic conditions at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic, at prices that are comparable to those at polyclinics.

The Healthier SG Medication List comprises of medications which are commonly used in polyclinics to manage conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). Enrollees can discuss suitable medications with their GPs but they cannot specify the brand of medication that their GP prescribes.

How can I tell if I am better off using the Healthier SG Chronic Tier?

For most Singaporean patients, the cost of medications for chronic diseases at their enrolled GP clinic is already covered under CHAS. The Healthier SG Chronic Tier will benefit CHAS/PG/MG cardholders with higher medication needs and whose bills may exceed the current CHAS annual subsidy limits. Please consult your family doctor if the Healthier SG Chronic Tier is suitable for your medication needs (see worked example below).

You can use only one subsidy framework at each visit, either the CHAS Chronic Tier or the Healthier SG Chronic Tier. You can alternate between the two subsidy frameworks to cater for any future changes in medication needs. The remaining balance in the annual dollar subsidy will be pro-rated at your next visit when you switch between subsidy frameworks. This is to account for the difference in annual limits between the two subsidy frameworks.

Medication delivery

Certain GP clinics may also arrange for direct delivery of selected chronic medications under the Healthier SG Medication List to the enrollee's home. Delivery charges may apply.

Click here for the Healthier SG Medication List

Illustration of subsidies under Healthier SG Chronic Tier (as of January 2024)

A typical chronic visit bill at a GP consists of the following components:

Consultation
Investigations (e.g blood tests)
Medications

Example: Mrs Tan, CHAS Blue cardholder

Enrolled in Healthier SG with ABC Clinic
Has three chronic conditions – High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus

Medication Needs

Mrs Tan’s chronic medication needs comprise a large proportion of her bill and will likely exceed the annual limits under the existing CHAS Chronic Tier.

Mrs Tan is prescribed chronic medications – Empagliflozin, Losartan, Metformin and Atorvastatin for her chronic conditions, which are in the Healthier SG Medication List and eligible for percentage-based subsidies under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.

Choice of Subsidy Framework

Mrs Tan can choose either the CHAS Chronic Tier or the Healthier SG Chronic Tier at each visit (see comparison below):

CHAS Chronic Tier	Healthier SG Chronic Tier
Visit limit: $125 Annual limit: $500 Note: Patients well covered under the existing CHAS annual limits today need not switch to the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.	[NEW] Subsidy applies medication on Healthier SG Medication List for CDMP conditions: 75% subsidy, with no dollar cap Visit limit (for all services and other medications): $125 [ADJUSTED] Annual limit: $330 Note: Patients with high chronic medication needs which comprise a large proportion of the bill stand to benefit with reduced co-payment under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.

CHAS Chronic Tier

Healthier SG Chronic Tier

Visit limit: $125
Annual limit: $500

Note: Patients well covered under the existing CHAS annual limits today need not switch to the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.

[NEW] Subsidy applies medication on Healthier SG Medication List for CDMP conditions: 75% subsidy, with no dollar cap
Visit limit (for all services and other medications): $125
[ADJUSTED] Annual limit: $330

Note: Patients with high chronic medication needs which comprise a large proportion of the bill stand to benefit with reduced co-payment under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.

Bill Illustration

Bill components	CHAS Chronic Tier		Healthier SG Chronic Tier
Consultation, investigation, other services	$50		$50
Medications on Healthier SG Medication List*
Empagliflozin 25mg x 90 tablets	$92.70*		$92.70*
Losartan Potassium 100mg x 90 tablets	$36*		$36*
Metformin 850mg x 180 tablets	$36*		$36*
Atorvastatin 20mg x 90 tablets	$36*		$36*
Medications not on Healthier SG Medication List
Other medications	$20		$20
Total bill (after GST)	$295.06
Breakdown of subsidies	Visit Limit	($125)	Subsidies on medication in Healthier SG Medication List	($150.53)
			GST absorbed (for medications in Healthier SG Medication List)	($18.06)
			Subsidies on all other services, other medications (incl GST), up to visit limit	($76.30)
Net payable $170.06			$50.17

^Figures above for illustration purpose only.

*Based on prices medications prescribed under the Healthier SG Medication List, similar to those subsidised at the polyclinics where patients may not be able to select specific brands for these medications. Patients can see more savings that what is illustrated above when switching to Healthier SG Chronic Tier from the existing CHAS Chronic Tier, if the prices of these medications are higher before introduction of Healthier SG Chronic Tier.