Family members who now qualify for the enhanced Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) will be automatically included by Jan 1.

By then, the age floor of 40 will be removed, paving the way for younger people to tap on subsidies to seek care at private doctors and dentists. Any household with a monthly income of up to $1,800 per family member can apply for the scheme.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in Parliament on Monday that family members who are below 40 will start getting their Chas cards from December 26 onwards - without the need to send in new application forms.

Households keen to apply can start doing so now. They will only need to submit one application form, said Mr Gan in response to a question from West Coast GRC MP Foo Mee Har. She had asked if qualification for the scheme can be simplified.

These forms, Mr Gan added, are available at public hospitals, polyclinics, community centres and clubs, as well as Community Development Councils.

Mr Gan also took questions from MPs such as Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam on the new MediShield Life, which seeks to provide lifelong basic health insurance for all. The minister said he hopes to share more details at the Committee of Supply debate early next year.

A public consultation on the topic is set to be conducted in the last quarter of this year.