Itemised Billing for Clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)

CHAS subsidy guidelines for dental services also to be updated

1.            From 1 January 2017, all GP and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) will be required to issue itemised bills to CHAS patients. The CHAS subsidy guidelines for dental services will also be updated to define more clearly the types of dental services and their claim limits under CHAS. The changes are introduced to enhance fee transparency, and to help patients better understand the treatments and subsidies they receive at CHAS clinics.

Itemised Billing for CHAS Patients

2.            From 1 January 2017, all CHAS GP and dental clinics will be required to issue itemised bills to all CHAS and Pioneer Generation (PG) patients, including those whose bills are covered fully by CHAS subsidies and do not make any out-of-pocket payment. Currently, some clinics may not issue itemised bills to CHAS patients or only do so upon request.

3.            The itemised bill must minimally show the following:
            (i)         the total charges before CHAS subsidy, with a breakdown into Consultation, Medication, Investigation and Others for medical bills or individual dental procedures for dental bills;

            (ii)         the total CHAS subsidy given; and

            (iii)         the remaining amount payable by the patient.

            Please see Annex A [PDF, 73KB] for a sample bill containing the minimum level of detail required.

4.            Some CHAS clinics already provide itemised bills to their patients with the above information or a more detailed breakdown. These clinics do not need to make any changes.

5.            Itemised billing will enable patients to better understand their clinic’s charges and the CHAS subsidies they received. We encourage CHAS patients to speak to their clinic if they have any queries on their bill.

Updated CHAS Subsidy Guidelines for Dental Services

6.            In addition, the CHAS subsidy guidelines for dental services will be updated from 1 January 2017. The revised guidelines will define more clearly the types of dental services that are subsidised under CHAS, as well as their claim limits. Please see Annex B  [PDF, 66KB] for the revised guidelines. MOH will continue with our regular audits of clinics to ensure compliance with the guidelines.

7.            Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min said, “Improving the transparency of clinics’ charges and CHAS subsidies will facilitate greater understanding and trust between clinics and patients. MOH will continue to take in feedback from the public and professional community as we review CHAS from time to time, to ensure that Singaporeans have access to affordable and quality primary care in the community."

Background

8.            Under CHAS, Singaporeans from lower- to middle-income households and all members of the Pioneer Generation receive Government subsidies for treatment at participating private General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics. There are currently about 1.3 million Singaporeans on CHAS who can receive subsidised care at any of the 1,600 CHAS clinics islandwide.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
28 OCTOBER 2016