The_King Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 SINGAPORE — From November this year, middle- to high-income Singaporeans who have chronic conditions such as diabetes will stand to benefit from the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas). Green Chas cards, for chronic-disease sufferers with a per capita household income greater than S$1,800, will join the blue and orange Chas cards currently available for Singaporeans below that income threshold. “This is a major philosophical shift, as Singapore has never had universal subsidies for general practitioner care, but we believe this will help Singaporeans as they grow old, and also allow for a greater anchoring of chronic care in the community," said Senior Minister of State for Health Edwin Tong on Wednesday (Mar 6) during his ministry's Committee of Supply debate. The new green Chas card and other enhancements to Chas subsidies are part of efforts to ensure primary care remains affordable for Singaporeans, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). What subsidies will green Chas cardholders receive at participating clinics? Acute conditions: None One chronic condition: Up to S$28 per visit, capped at S$112 per year Complex chronic conditions (two or more chronic conditions, or a single condition with complications): Up to S$40 per visit, capped at S$160 per year Dental: None From Nov 1, orange Chas card holders will receive the following subsidy enhancements: Acute conditions: Up to S$10 per visit (from S$0) Complex chronic conditions: Up to S$80 per visit, capped at S$320 per year (from up to S$75 per visit, capped at S$300 per year) As for blue Chas card holders: Complex chronic conditions: Up to S$125 per visit, capped at S$500 per year (from S$120 per visit, capped at S$480 per year) Like the Pioneer Generation, all Merdeka Generation seniors will receive Chas subsidies from Nov 1, regardless of their household income or the annual value of their homes. These are the subsidies they can get with the new Merdeka Generation card: Common illnesses: Up to S$23.50 per visit One chronic condition: Up to S$85 per visit, capped at S$340 per year Complex chronic conditions: Up to S$130 per visit, capped at S$520 per year Dental: S$16 to S$261.50 per procedure, depending on the procedure From September this year, Singaporeans can apply for Chas online too. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced at last year’s National Day Rally that Chas will cover all Singaporeans — regardless of income — for chronic conditions such as diabetes and osteoarthritis. Currently, about 1.2 million lower- to middle-income Singaporeans and about 1,000 private general practitioners and 700 dental clinics are part of Chas. In 2018, some 630,000 Singaporeans received about S$152 million in Chas subsidies. OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MOH 1. Timeline of Merdeka Generation package From July 2019: One-off top-up of S$100 to PAssion Silver cards; Medisave top-ups of S$200 every year for five years till 2023; additional premium subsidies for MediShield Life From Nov 2019: Additional outpatient care subsidies at Chas GP and dental clinics, polyclinics and subsidised specialist outpatient clinics From 2021: Additional participation incentive of S$1,500 for CareShield Life if they sign up between 2021 and 2023 2. More healthcare facilities Two new polyclinics to be completed in Serangoon and Tengah by 2025 Last year, MOH announced that two new polyclinics at Nee Soon Central and Tampines North would be completed by 2023, adding to the four in Bukit Panjang, Eunos, Kallang and Sembawang to be completed by 2020 3. More help for youths with social and mental health needs by end-2019 MOH is looking to develop an integrated youth service with partners such as the Agency for Integrated Care, Health Promotion Board, the Institute of Mental Health and National Council of Social Service MOH will also review and update the 2017 Enhanced Community Mental Health Masterplan 4. Better diabetes management Educational materials for diabetic patients and members of the public, in the four national languages, to be published on HealthHub by the middle of this year MOH will seek feedback from the public on what other in-depth materials will be helpful Training of professionals and volunteers to help diabetic patients manage their condition using the educational materials Risk-stratified framework, which will reduce diabetes-related lower limb and toe amputations, to be launched from the second quarter of this year 5. More accurate screening test for cervical cancer for women aged 30 years old or above Moving towards human papillomavirus (HPV) tests that can detect the presence of cancer-causing HPV, rather than Pap smears Decreasing frequency of tests from three to five years Under the Screen for Life programme, costs will remain unchanged — free-of-charge for Pioneer Generation seniors, S$2 for Chas blue or orange card holders, S$5 for other Singaporeans 6. More help for caregivers Those looking after seniors with dementia: A night respite service pilot programme will be rolled out in the second half of this year Those caring for end-of-life cancer patients receiving home palliative care: A pilot home-based custodial care respite service will start from the middle of this year Access respite services quicker: The Agency for Integrated Care will pilot a pre-enrolment system with a few senior care centres and nursing homes, from the first quarter of this year Flexible work arrangements to be strengthened 7. Assisted living in public housing MOH, the Ministry of National Development and the Housing and Development Board will conduct focus group discussions this year on proposed concepts. More details will be released later. Assisted living means care services are available alongside housing. The MOH said seniors can buy into a senior-friendly home and pick from a range of programmes and services such as housekeeping, 24/7 emergency support and personal care. 8. More career pathways for nurses ITE diploma in nursing can take two years to complete instead of two-and-a-half years New virtual platform, the National Nursing Academy, to coordinate and support lifelong learning offerings for nurses and nursing leaders Rolling out of Community Nursing Competency Framework https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-green-chas-card-november-all-singaporeans-2-new-polyclinics-by-2025 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODACHEK Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 sg too many cards...need to buy thish riaos... TVB for life... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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