Understanding Chronic Disease Management

What Are Chronic Diseases?

Chronic diseases are long-term medical conditions that tend to progress over time. These conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and asthma, require ongoing management but can be controlled with simple lifestyle changes and medical care. Taking proactive steps to manage chronic diseases is essential for maintaining a better quality of life and overall well-being.

Common Chronic Diseases in Singapore

Chronic diseases are a major health concern in Singapore, contributing significantly to illness and mortality. Common chronic conditions affecting Singaporeans include:

  • Asthma
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • High Cholesterol
  • Stroke

Early detection and proper management are crucial in preventing complications and improving health outcomes.

Why Early Management Matters

Early detection and proper management are crucial in preventing complications and improving long-term health outcomes. Taking proactive steps to manage a chronic condition helps you maintain a better quality of life and overall well-being.
 

More Info on CDMP

What is the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)?

The Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) was introduced by Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) in 2006 to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of care for patients with chronic conditions. Through the programme, eligible patients can use MediSave and government subsidies to help meet the cost of managing their condition in an outpatient setting, and receive structured, long-term care closer to home.

The CDMP currently covers 23 chronic conditions and is available at MediSave-accredited clinics across Singapore, including all Healthway Medical clinics.

Conditions Covered Under the CDMP

The CDMP covers the following 23 chronic conditions:

  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Lipid Disorders (High Blood Cholesterol)
  • Stroke
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Major Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Dementia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
  • Anxiety
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (Nephritis/Nephrosis)
  • Epilepsy
  • Osteoporosis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Ischaemic Heart Disease
  • Allergic Rhinitis
  • Gout
  • Chronic Hepatitis B

The three most recent additions — gout, allergic rhinitis and chronic hepatitis B — were included from 1 July 2022. MOH reviews the list of covered conditions from time to time.

Who Is Eligible?

The CDMP is open to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have one or more of the covered chronic conditions. You can access the programme at any MediSave-accredited clinic, including all Healthway Medical clinics across Singapore.

The level of financial support you receive depends on your circumstances:

  • Eligible patients can use MediSave — their own or an approved family member's — towards their treatment, subject to annual withdrawal limits.
  • Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) cardholders can receive additional government subsidies.
  • Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) cardholders receive higher special subsidies.

Financial Support and Subsidies

Using MediSave Under the CDMP

The cost of managing chronic conditions is made easier through the use of MediSave under the CDMP, which helps patients with chronic diseases reduce out-of-pocket costs when they seek treatment in an outpatient setting.

CDMP is available at participating MediSave-accredited clinics, including Healthway Medical clinics across Singapore. Patients with complex chronic conditions can use up to $700 per patient yearly, while other patients can use up to $500 per patient yearly for their treatments. A 15% cash co-payment applies, except for patients receiving care at their enrolled Healthier SG clinic.

Learn more about using MediSave for chronic disease management


CHAS Subsidies for Chronic Conditions

On top of MediSave, eligible patients who hold a Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Pioneer Generation (PG) or Merdeka Generation (MG) card can receive government subsidies for CDMP chronic conditions at participating CHAS GP clinics, including Healthway Medical.

Subsidy amounts depend on your CHAS card tier (Blue, Orange or Green) and whether your condition is classified as simple (a single chronic condition) or complex (multiple conditions, or a single condition with complications). PG and MG cardholders receive higher special subsidies. As subsidy limits are set and periodically revised by MOH, please refer to the official CHAS subsidy rates for the latest amounts, or check with our clinic before your visit.
 

CDMP and Healthier SG

Since its launch in 2023, Healthier SG has anchored the long-term management of chronic conditions within community-based primary care. If you enrol with a Healthier SG clinic and hold a CHAS, PG or MG card, you can opt into the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, which gives you access to selected common chronic medications at prices comparable to polyclinics — complementing the MediSave and CHAS support available under the CDMP. 

Learn more about Healthier SG.

Medication Collection and Prescription Refills

Since 19 May 2020, MediSave and the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) have also been extended to cover prescription refills for conditions under the CDMP that are delivered and collected on the patient's behalf (conditions listed above). 

Find out more about medication collection.