FAQs

General Information on Healthier SG

• What is Healthier SG?

  Healthier SG is a national strategy to transform Singapore’s healthcare system to focus more on preventive care to help residents stay healthy, detect health issues early and manage them well. Under Healthier SG, residents will be empowered to take steps to improve their health proactively with the support of their trusted family clinic and community partners.

• How will I know if I am eligible for Healthier SG?

  Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) can enrol in Healthier SG. The rollout phases will prioritise those who are more likely to need medical care or suffer from chronic illnesses.

  From May 2023, residents aged 40 years and above with chronic illness and who are already seeing a Healthier SG GP for the care of their chronic condition can pre-enrol. Your clinic may contact you for pre-enrolment.

  From July 2023, MOH will progressively invite Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 60 years and above via SMS to enrol with a Healthier SG clinic or polyclinic. SMS invitations will also be sent progressively to those aged 40 to 59 years.

• Will the care provided by different GPs and polyclinics under Healthier SG be the same? What is the difference between going to GPs and polyclinics?

  You will receive the same level of care regardless of whether you choose to see a doctor at a GP clinic or Polyclinic as there are standard care protocols to guide doctors in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders. The protocols will also cover health screenings, medications, lifestyle adjustments, and referrals to specialist and acute care when necessary.

  Healthier SG GP clinics, like polyclinics, will be supported by a healthcare team managed by their Primary Care Network.

  We recommend that you choose a GP clinic that is convenient for you and whom you have been seeing over the years for better rapport and trust.

Benefits

• What are the key benefits of Healthier SG?

  Having a long-term, trusted relationship with a family clinic allows your doctor to focus more on preventive care to help you stay healthy, detect health issues early and manage them well.

  Healthier SG empowers you to take steps to improve your health proactively with the support of your trusted family clinic and community partners, every step of the way.

  The aim is to help you enjoy:

  • A higher quality of life for as long as possible;
  • Peace of mind for yourself and loved ones; and
  • Ease and convenience in accessing health and community services.

  Benefits after enrolment include:

  • One-time free first Health Plan consultation with your chosen clinic.
  • Healthpoints (worth $20) through Healthy 365 app after the first Health Plan consultation.
  • Fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations (for Singapore Citizens only).
  • From early 2024, CHAS cardholders with high medication requirements and bills can opt for Healthier SG Chronic Tier, which provides subsidies of up to 87.5% on whitelisted chronic medications, depending on income level.
  • From early 2024, Singapore Residents under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) can use MediSave to pay for treatment without cash co-payment.

Enrolment

• When can I enrol in Healthier SG? Is it compulsory for Singaporeans to join Healthier SG?

  Healthier SG will be rolled out progressively in phases from July 2023 onwards. Although enrolment is not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to enrol in Healthier SG. Having a long-term, trusted relationship with a family clinic allows you to stay healthy, detect health issues early and manage them well, supported by your preferred family clinic.

  Besides enjoying enhanced healthcare and subsidies, and holistic team-based care from your family clinic, you will also be able to prevent chronic conditions and complications while experiencing peace of mind for yourself and loved ones.

• How can I tell if my Healthier SG SMS is not a scam?

  The SMS(es) from MOH’s Healthier SG will show a registered sender ID “MOH-HSG”. Do check that it is:

  • spelled the same way;
  • case sensitive; and
  • there are no spaces in between.

  We are aware of calls falsely informing recipients that they are from MOH, requesting for your personal or financial information over the phone. Please always verify the authenticity of instructions before offering any personal information. You can also call the MOH Hotline at 6325 9220 if you have any enquiries.

  
• Are there plans for those aged below 40 years old to be included in Healthier SG?

  Our population is ageing rapidly with older age groups more susceptible to co-morbidities and chronic illnesses. As such, Healthier SG enrolment will focus on those aged 40 and above to proactively prevent them from falling ill and delay the deterioration of health. We will consider further expansions after the roll-out has stabilised.

  Pre-enrolment will begin in May 2023 for residents aged 40 and above with chronic illnesses and who are already seeing a Healthier SG GP. This will be followed by registration for residents aged 60 and above from July 2023.

  In the meantime, all residents should continue to stay active and live healthily. There are a variety of community programmes available, including:

  • People’s Association (PA) activities
  • SportSG ActiveHealth programmes
  • Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) National Steps Challenge and Eat, Drink, Shop Healthy Challenge

• Can I enrol with a polyclinic instead of a GP clinic?

  The care provided at the polyclinics and GP clinics are both guided by the same care protocols. You are strongly advised to enrol with a GP clinic where you would be more likely to see the same doctor for each visit. By seeing the same doctor each time, you can develop and enjoy a long-term trusted relationship with a doctor who knows you well. Healthcare clusters and community partners will work with your chosen clinic to support your needs. Do continue to follow up with your GP if you have been seeing the GP clinic previously.

• Will I be allowed to change the GP / polyclinic after I have successfully enrolled with Healthier SG?

  Yes, you can switch clinics after you have enrolled.

  You can do so via HealthHub or go to a Community Centre or Joint Testing & Vaccination Centres (JTVC). You may also call the MOH hotline at 6325 9220.

  We will support one change of enrolled clinic in a year to accommodate personal preferences and changes in life circumstances, e.g., families who move house. As some residents may need more time to find a clinic that they are comfortable with at the start, we will support up to four changes for the initial enrolment period.

• I have been seeing various doctors at GP clinics as well as the polyclinic.
  Which doctor should I enrol with, and can I continue to see multiple doctors after the enrolment?

  If you are already visiting a regular Healthier SG GP clinic, you are encouraged to stay to develop and enjoy a long-term trusted relationship with a doctor who knows you well.

  We encourage you to commit to visiting one family clinic who will support you in developing and adopting a Health Plan. The Healthier SG family clinic will serve as the first point-of-contact to holistically manage your health.

• Why can’t I find my Healthier SG clinic of choice?
  What do I do if my existing General Practitioner (GP) is not a Healthier SG clinic?

  For Healthier SG, residents can enrol only with a clinic that is participating in Healthier SG. GP clinics that are not Healthier SG will not be available for selection.

  As you will need to enrol with a Healthier SG GP clinic to access Healthier SG benefits, you are strongly encouraged to choose from the list of Healthier SG clinics in HealthHub.

  You may continue to visit non-Healthier SG clinics even after your enrolment. However, Healthier SG benefits will not be applicable at clinics that you are not enrolled with, so you would only be able to enjoy the existing schemes such as CHAS and MediSave.

  If your current GP is not on Healthier SG, you could also encourage your GP to onboard Healthier SG.

• Why do I need to visit the clinic after enrolment?
  What can I expect at this first Health Plan consultation session?

  During the Health Plan consultation at your enrolled Healthier SG clinic, the doctor will discuss your health, and co-create a Health Plan that works for you. This could include:

  • Discussing ways to improve your health, such as by making lifestyle adjustments;
  • Reviewing what health screenings and vaccinations you need; and
  • Booking your next health check-in.

  Your first onboarding health consultation will be free, and completing your Health Plan discussion will earn you bonus Healthpoints (via the Healthy 365 app).

  Nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations will be fully subsidised at your enrolled clinic if you are eligible.

• What happens if I need to see the doctor for my illness during the same visit for my first Health Plan discussion? Do I still need to pay?

  The first Health Plan discussion is fully subsidised, and you do not need to pay for the discussion. If you are seeing the doctor for your first Health Plan discussion and for other illnesses, please check with the clinic whether there are charges for consultation/treatment unrelated to Healthier SG.

• Can I use my next appointment at the GP/Polyclinic for my first Health Plan discussion?

  If you have enrolled with your existing GP/Polyclinic, you can use your next scheduled appointment as an opportunity to also have your first Health Plan discussion with the doctor. However, please note that there may still be fees charged for consultation and treatment that are unrelated to Healthier SG.

• If I have a company doctor and/or any other healthcare insurance plans, can I still enrol with a Healthier SG clinic?

  Your existing health benefits and insurance coverage (e.g., provided by your employer) can co-exist with Healthier SG. MOH encourages employers and insurers to support their panel of clinics to join Healthier SG, so that their employees/clients can tap on medical benefits from employers/insurers and also be supported by the Healthier SG clinic they enrol with for more personalised and comprehensive care offerings.

• Do I have the flexibility to choose a preferred clinic near my residence or workplace?

  Residents can choose any clinic that is participating in Healthier SG. This can be a clinic located near your home or workplace or a clinic that you have visited for many years.

  Selection of your preferred Healthier SG clinic can be done within the HealthHub app as you enrol in Healthier SG.

  Through HealthHub, you will first see up to three clinics which you frequently visit but you can also use the search bar which allows you to choose a family clinic of your preference that is not on the displayed list.

Health Plan

• What do I need to bring along for my first visit?

  Do bring along:

  • your NRIC to your Healthier SG clinic for verification purposes; and
  • your Pioneer Generation/Merdeka Generation and/or Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) cards to enjoy the enhanced CHAS subsidies under Healthier SG (effective only from early 2024).

  You are strongly encouraged to:

  • bring along prior relevant health screenings, test result and immunisation records (local or overseas) to share with your doctor; and
  • inform your family clinic of your current medications, therapy, or any other medical concerns.

• How often will my Health Plan be reviewed?

  Your family clinic will have an annual check-in with you based on your Health Plan and to discuss any changes or next steps you wish to take.

  If you have chronic conditions, you can expect to have more frequent check-ins with your family clinic as guided by the care protocols and based on your doctor’s assessment.

Referral

• Can my family clinic refer me for specialist care?
  Will referrals made under Healthier SG be subsidised at Specialist Outpatient Centre (SOC) rates, similar to those referred by polyclinics?
  What do I need to bring along for my first visit?

  Yes, your family clinic can refer you for specialist care if it is clinically appropriate. Your doctor (or the care team) will discuss with you prior to making any referral for specialist care.

  Singapore Citizens may be referred during their subsidised visits to GP clinics (e.g., under Community Health Assist Scheme, Screen For Life, Vaccination & Childhood Development Screening Scheme) to public SOC for subsidised care. You will be considered as a subsidised patient and will receive care from a team of doctors/dentists. Patients who wish to choose a specific doctor at the SOC will have to pay private rates.

  For more information on SOC subsidies, please visit the MOH website or check directly with your CHAS GP or the public SOC.