Certain dental treatments and procedures can be expensive, particularly if surgery is required. Fortunately, in Singapore, there are government schemes like Medisave and the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) that aim to make healthcare, including dental treatments, more affordable. These schemes can be used individually or together with family members to help offset the costs of necessary, dental services and care.
This article will cover how much you can claim from MediSave for dental treatments and how CHAS subsidies complement this to provide additional support to cover the dental bill.
What is Medisave & CHAS?
Medisave | The CPF Medisave account allows Singaporeans and Permanent Residents to set aside a portion of their Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings for future medical expenses. |
|---|---|
CHAS | The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) offers subsidies for outpatient medical and dental treatments. CHAS offers different levels of support depending on the type of card you hold: CHAS criteria for Blue, Orange, and Green tiers are determined based on monthly household income per person. CHAS Green does not cover dental services. |
Medisave and CHAS are distinct programs that help make healthcare more affordable. It's important to note that Medisave and CHAS cannot be used together.
Can I Use Medisave for All Dental Treatments?
No, Medisave cannot be used for every type of dental treatment. According to the CPF Board, Medisave is mainly reserved for surgical treatments (e.g. wisdom tooth surgery, implant surgery). Non-surgical procedures such as fillings, crowns, dentures, and braces are not covered under Medisave. However, if the dental implant or procedure is medically necessary and involves surgery, you can use Medisave to claim part of the cost.
How Much Can I Claim from Medisave/CHAS for Dental Treatments?
Medisave Claims
The CPF Board limits how much can be claimed from Medisave for dental surgeries. Below are the general claim limits for dental procedures under Medisave:
CHAS Claims
CHAS offers subsidies for a broader range of dental treatments. The subsidy amounts depend on the type of CHAS card you hold. Here are some common treatments and the corresponding subsidy amounts:
Treatment | CHAS Blue | CHAS Orange | Merdeka Generation (MG) | Pioneer Generation (PG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Consultation | $20.50 | Not covered | $25.50 | $30.50 |
Scaling | $30.00 | Not covered | $35.00 | $40.00 |
Polishing | $20.50 | Not covered | $25.50 | $30.50 |
Fillings | $30.00-$50.00 | Not covered | $35.00-$55.00 | $40.00-$60.00 |
Dentures | $98.00-$256.50 | $65.50-$170.50 | $103.00-$261.50 | $108.00-$266.50 |
Crowns | $127.50 | $84.50 | $132.50 | $137.50 |
Tooth Extraction | $28.50-$68.50 | Not covered | $33.50-$73.50 | $38.50-$78.50 |
Root Canal Treatment | $164.00-$256.50 | $109.50-$170.50 | $169.00-$261.50 | $174.00-$266.50 |
This is a preview of the available treatments. For the full range, please refer to the official CHAS dental subsidies page.
It's also important to note that subsidies are only available at CHAS-registered clinics, so make sure to check that your dental clinic is part of the scheme.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How to Check Your Medisave Balance?
How Do I Process a MediSave Claim?
To process a dental Medisave claim procedure, the clinic will submit a claim for the patient. Patients are required to provide the clinic with their necessary details.
Who Can Use MediSave for Dental Treatments?
If you’re a MediSave account holder, you can use it for claimable dental treatments on yourself. You can also use your MediSave savings to pay for your immediate family members, including parents, children, and spouse, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for the dental treatment.
Get Affordable Dental Treatment with MediSave and CHAS
Navigating the costs of dental treatments in Singapore can be challenging, but with the help of Medisave and CHAS, you can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for certain dental services and procedures.
Taking care of your teeth not only improves your quality of life but also prevents more serious health issues in the long term. So, don’t delay your dental appointments—take advantage of Medisave and CHAS today.