Patient Classification

​According to the Ministry of Health's guidelines, there are two patient classifications:

Subsidised or Private

Patients will be classified as first visit patients if:

• Patients have been discharged, or
• Auto-discharged from private or subsided patient class after the lapse of 24 months from date of last visit
  

Subsidised rate applies when your first visit is via:

• Non-named referral letter from:
  - Restructured Hospital with SOC subsidised payment status, discharged inpatient
   class B2+, B2, C or A&E
  - SAF
  - Polyclinic
  - GPs participating in CHAS¹
• Auto-discharged from private or subsided patient class after the lapse of 24 months from date of last visit.
  

Private rate applies when your first visit is via:

• Self-referral or walk-in
• Referral letter from:
  - General Practitioner (GP)
  - Private hospital
  - Restructured hospital with SOC private payment status or discharged inpatient Class A or B1
  - Polyclinic with named specialist
• Industrial accident
• Auto-discharged from private or subsided patient class after the lapse of 24 months from date of last visit.
  

¹ GPs participating in CHAS can make subsidised referrals for Health Assist cardholders to specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs) which are located at Public Hospitals when necessary. Health Assist cardholders must bring along their Health Assist card and NRIC for verification, in addition to the CHAS Cover Note for subsidised specialist outpatient care at Public Hospitals and referral letter from their CHAS GP.

With effect from 1 Sept 2014, the Health Assist card can be used to enjoy more subsidies at public hospital SOCs. Please click here for more information. If patients indicate that they would like to see a specific doctor, they will be charged at prevailing private rates.

For more details, please visit the CHAS website.