Navigating healthcare subsidies for PR dependants under updated CHAS and MediShield tiers

As a Singapore permanent resident (PR), understanding healthcare coverage for yourself and your dependants is vital. Subsidies and schemes in Singapore differ between citizens, PRs, and non-residents.

While MediShield Life provides all residents with basic protection for large hospital bills, subsidy levels are much lower for PRs. Meanwhile, the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) remains strictly for Singapore Citizens. Dependants who are neither citizens nor PRs receive no national subsidies and must rely on private insurance. This guide will break down exactly what this means for your family’s health and finances, a crucial consideration alongside the other benefits of being a Singapore PR.

The Core Principle: Why Healthcare Subsidies Differ for Citizens and PRs

Singapore’s healthcare financing is built on a multi-layered system often called the “3Ms”: MediSave, MediShield Life, and MediFund. This framework is designed with a foundational principle of differentiated support, providing greater financial assistance to its citizens. Understanding this is essential for navigating the various welfare schemes available to PRs

• MediSave: A mandatory medical savings account for all working Singaporeans and PRs. It can be used to to pay medical bills for yourself and your dependants (even foreigners), but it’s not a subsidy, it’s your own savings.
• MediShield Life: Mandatory national health insurance for all citizens and PRs, covering hospitalisation costs .
• MediFund: A safety net for those unable to afford medical bills after subsidies and insurance. However, it is reserved only for Singapore Citizens.

This structure deliberately creates different levels of financial liability, making it essential for PRs to plan proactively.

MediShield Life for PRs: Universal Coverage, Not Equal Support

MediShield Life ensures that all Singapore Permanent Residents and their PR dependants have basic health insurance. However, PRs receive smaller premium subsidies and smaller claim payouts due to government policy.

Lower Premium Subsidies

PRs pay higher MediShield Life premiums because they receive only half the subsidy rate of citizens at the same income level.This means your net premium payment is higher from the start.

Note: Subsidy tiers depend on both income and property Annual Value. Households in homes above $21,000 Annual Value receive smaller or no subsidies.

The Pro-Ration Factor: Why Your Payout is Smaller

The most significant difference for PRs is the concept of pro-ration . Because MediShield Life payouts are benchmarked to the cost of heavily subsidised B2/C wards for citizens, the system adjusts the claimable amount for patients who receive lower government subsidies at public hospitals. Since PRs receive less direct subsidy than citizens, this adjustment applies to all of their hospital bills.

For PRs: 

Ward charges: 50% claimable 

Surgical charges: 60% claimable.

For example, a $10,000 surgery bill will be capped at $6,000 for MediShield Life computation before deductible and co-insurance are applied.

Key takeaway: PRs face higher out-of-pocket costs than citizens for the same procedures.

Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS): A Citizen-Only Benefit

CHAS is a cornerstone of affordable primary care in Singapore, offering subsidies for visits to participating GPs and dental clinics for common illnesses, chronic conditions, and dental services .

The Strict Rule: No CHAS for Permanent Residents

The eligibility for CHAS is clear and non-negotiable: it is exclusively for Singapore Citizens . Permanent Residents and non-resident dependants are not eligible for a CHAS card or any of its benefits, regardless of their income level.

The PR Household Paradox

A unique situation arises when a PR has a Singapore Citizen dependant, such as a child or spouse. That citizen dependant is eligible to apply for CHAS. However, the application is assessed based on the entire household’s circumstances .

The income of all family members at the same address, including the PR, must be declared to calculate the Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) . This PCHI determines the subsidy tier (Blue, Orange, or Green) for the citizen members. A PR’s higher income can therefore place the household in a higher PCHI bracket, potentially reducing the subsidies their own citizen child or spouse would otherwise receive .

Healthcare for Non-Resident Dependants (DP or LTVP Holders)

Dependants on Dependant’s Pass (DP) or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) are not covered under Singapore’s healthcare subsidy framework.

• Not eligeble for MediShield Life or CHAS
• Must pay full private patient rates at all hospitals and clinics.
• Private health Insurance is Essential: to avoid large financial risks.

If your goal is long-term family settlement, consider sponsoring their PR applications to integrate them into Singapore’s national healthcare system over time. 

Take Control of Your Family’s Healthcare Journey

Navigating Singapore’s healthcare system as a PR requires careful planning. You must account for lower subsidies, the absence of CHAS benefits, and the critical need for private insurance for certain family members. Being proactive is key to ensuring your family is protected against unexpected medical costs, a responsibility that continues long after a successful Singapore Permanent Residence application.

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of healthcare planning as a PR? Ensuring your family is fully protected requires expert guidance. Don’t leave it to chance. Contact us today for a personalised consultation to secure your family’s health and future in Singapore.