When the haze descends on Singapore, the Ministry of Health may activate the Haze Subsidy Scheme, which will then be available at all polyclinics and Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC). Here are some questions you may be asking about it.
Update: The Haze Subsidy Scheme is currently not being offered until further notice.
Participating Clinics
1. How would I know if the clinic I visit is participating in the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
You may refer to the Ministry of Health (MOH) website (www.moh.gov.sg/haze) for the list of participating clinics once the scheme is activated. All participating clinics will also display a Haze Subsidy Scheme poster and/or Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) decal (as shown below).
Activation and Closure of Scheme
2. How will I know when I can claim for my treatment under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
MOH will announce the Haze Subsidy Scheme once it is activated. If you are unsure, please check with the participating PHPC when making an appointment or going there for treatment.
Eligibility
3. Am I eligible for the subsidy under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
The following groups of Singapore Citizens are eligible for the scheme at PHPCs:
i) Children (aged 18 and below) and elderly (aged 65 and above);
ii) Individuals who are supported on any of the following schemes:
a. Public Assistance (PA);
b. Pioneer Generation (PG);
c. Merdeka Generation (MG);
d. Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cardholders only; and
e. Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC).
4. How will I know if I qualify for the scheme under the children and elderly category?
Children are eligible for the subsidy if their visit takes place before their 19th birthday. Seniors are eligible for the subsidy if their visit takes place on or after their 65th birthday. Please bring along your NRIC or birth certificate or student ID (where applicable) for verification purposes.
5. I do not have any of the qualifying cards, but my average monthly income over the last six months is less than $2,000. Am I still eligible for the subsidy?
Individuals whose per capita household income is $2,000 and below would be eligible for CHAS Blue or Orange cards. Per capita monthly income per person is the total gross household monthly income divided by total number of family members living together. Gross monthly income refers to basic income, trade/self-employed income, overtime pay, allowances, cash awards, commissions and bonuses.
Please apply for a CHAS card online ahead of time via https://www.chas.sg so that you may access subsidised care during haze.
Generally, application will be processed within 15 working days from date of receipt of the completed application.
6. Are PG, MG, PA, and CHAS Blue and Orange cardholders entitled to the haze subsidy?
Yes, PG, MG, PA and CHAS Blue and Orange cardholders are entitled to the haze subsidy.
7. Will I be eligible for the haze subsidy if part/whole of my medical bill can be reimbursed under my company’s medical benefits?
You are eligible for the haze subsidy as long as you meet the eligibility criteria (see question 3). The remainder of the bill after subtracting the haze subsidy can be covered in part or in whole by company medical benefits depending on your company’s medical benefit policy.
Subsidies and Co-payment
8. How much subsidy am I eligible for?
If you are a CHAS Blue, CHAS Orange or MFEC card holder, you will need to pay $10 or the total bill, whichever is lower, at participating clinics for haze-related conditions.
If you are a PG or MG cardholder, you will need to pay $5 or the total bill, whichever is lower, at participating clinics for haze-related conditions. If you are a PA cardholder, you will not need to make any out-of-pocket payment.
No additional GST will be charged on these fees.
9. What if I have both a haze-related condition and a respiratory infection (e.g. conjunctivitis and the common cold)? Do I still pay no more than $10 if I am an eligible Singapore Citizen (i.e., CHAS Blue/Orange/MFEC cardholder), or no more than $5 if I’m an eligible PG or MG senior?
Yes, patients who present with both a haze-related condition and a respiratory infection during their consultation will pay no more than $10 if he/ she is an eligible Singapore Citizen, no more than $5 if he/ she is a PG or MG senior, and no out-of-pocket payment if he/she is a PA cardholder.
10. What do I need to bring to the clinic to be eligible for the haze subsidy?
Please bring along your NRIC or birth certificate or student ID, along with your government scheme card (either the physical or digital card), where applicable, when seeking treatment for haze-related conditions at a participating clinic.
11. Do I need to sign a consent form during my visit to the PHPC in order to enjoy subsidies under the scheme?
You do not need to sign a consent form to enjoy subsidies under the scheme. By receiving the subsidy, patients are deemed to have consented to the release of their data to MOH and authorised parties for purposes of scheme administration. You may refer to the display notice at participating clinics for further information.
Claimable Conditions and Items
12. What are the haze-related conditions that are claimable under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
The conditions covered under the scheme are allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infections, and their complications. The doctor will evaluate your condition and assess whether it is caused by the haze and therefore claimable under the scheme.
13. May I receive subsidies under this scheme for additional medications or for other non-haze-related treatment?
As this scheme caters only for specific haze-related conditions, it does not cover other medications or treatment. In addition, the doctor will prescribe medications for the haze-related condition(s) in reasonable quantities needed for your care episode, based on his clinical judgement. These medications are not intended to be a long-term supply beyond the expected duration of your illness.
14. Will the doctor refuse to allow me to tap on the haze subsidy even though I have one of the conditions covered under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
The doctor is in the best position to evaluate your condition and assess whether it is caused by the haze and therefore claimable under the scheme. They will also prescribe the medications which they deem is best for the treatment of your condition.
15. May I receive haze subsidies for every visit if I need to visit my family doctor more than once?
Your doctor will assess on a case-by-case basis whether the condition being consulted at each visit is haze-related. If it is, you will be eligible for the subsidy. Please note that you can only receive the subsidy for one visit a day.
16. What if I have other illnesses that are not caused by haze?
The Haze Subsidy Scheme only applies to haze-related conditions. The doctor will assess your condition and determine whether you qualify for the scheme, and how much subsidies you may receive under this scheme.
Conditions that are not related to haze and not respiratory infections may be claimed for under other schemes such as CHAS, if applicable.
Request for Provision of Masks
17. Can I get masks from the general practitioner (GP)? Is this covered under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
Masks are not covered under the Haze Subsidy Scheme.
For more information
18. Where can I obtain more information on the haze situation and haze health advisory?
For updates on the haze situation, you can refer to the NEA website (www.haze.gov.sg). If you need to contact NEA about the haze situation, you can call 6225 5632 during office hours, or send your written query via https://www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/feedback.
For haze health advisory, you can refer to MOH website (www.moh.gov.sg/haze) for more information.
19. How can I seek clarification on the Haze Subsidy Scheme?
You can call MOH on 6325 9220 during office hours or send your written query via https://www.moh.gov.sg/feedback.
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