Getting Baby-Ready

• 1. Which Assisted Reproduction centres are eligible for the Assisted Conception Procedures co-funding scheme?

  Assisted Reproduction Technology and Intra-Uterine Insemination co-funding are available only at Assisted Reproduction centres in Singapore public hospitals. They are located at National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

• 2. Is Assisted Reproduction Technology/Intra-Uterine Insemination co-funding extended to private hospitals?

  No. Similar to general healthcare subsidies, the co-funding scheme only applies to treatment done at public hospitals. Patients can still withdraw from their MediSave to pay for the treatment performed at private hospitals, up to the prevailing withdrawal limits.

• 3. Do I have to apply for the Assisted Conception Procedures co-funding scheme for my Assisted Reproduction Technology/Intra-Uterine Insemination treatments?

  You do not need to apply for the co-funding scheme. Simply fill up a declaration form provided by the hospital, which will be used to check your eligibility for the scheme. The hospital will incorporate the co-funding into your bill once it verifies that you are eligible.

• 4. Can I use MediSave to foot the remaining costs of a co-funded Assisted Conception Procedures cycle?

  Yes, MediSave can be used to pay for co-funded cycles and cycles that are not co-funded. You can withdraw the following amounts from either your spouse’s or your MediSave account, up to a lifetime withdrawal limit of $15,000:

   

  • First cycle: up to $6,000
  • Second cycle: up to $5,000
  • Third and subsequent cycles: up to $4,000 per cycle

• 5. I have two children and am trying for a third child. Will I still qualify for the Assisted Conception Procedures co-funding scheme?

  Yes, you will qualify for the co-funding if you meet all the criteria.

• 6. Why is there an age restriction for the Assisted Conception Procedures co-funding scheme?

  The Assisted Conception Procedures co-funding scheme is meant to encourage couples who have difficulty conceiving to seek treatment early, as medical evidence shows that the chance of conception is significantly higher for a woman who undergoes Assisted Reproduction Technology/ Intra-Uterine Insemination treatment at a younger age. Based on our studies, success rates* are 26.6 per cent for women below 30, 24.6 per cent for women from 30 to 34, 17.1 per cent for women from 35 to 39, and 6.7 per cent for women 40 and above. 
  
  Imposing an age criterion of 40 years old for the Assisted Conception Procedures co-funding scheme hence seeks to strike a balance between the clinical evidence on reduced efficacy with increase in maternal age, while supporting some couples who may be unable to receive Assisted Conception Procedures early.

  As a concession to support some couples who may wish to try to conceive even beyond 40 years of age, the Ministry of Health has also extended co-funding for up to two unutilised Assisted Reproduction Technology cycles (out of the six Government co-funded Assisted Reproduction Technology cycles) to women beyond age 40, as long as they have attempted an Assisted Conception Procedure before age 40.

  Intra-Uterine Insemination co-funding is not extended to women aged 40 or beyond, because their doctors are likely to recommend that they undergo Assisted Reproduction Technology treatments,  as clinical evidence has shown that their chances of conceiving are very low.

  In general, as the success rate of Assisted Conception Procedures falls with age, try not to delay childbearing.

  *Based on average Assisted Reproduction Technology success rates by patient’s age group from 2014 to 2018.

• 7. Why is co-funding only provided for three fresh and three frozen Assisted Reproduction Technology cycles? What about subsequent cycles for couples who may need it?

  The number of co-funded cycles is based on existing clinical evidence that the success rate of Assisted Reproduction Technology decreases with each additional cycle and age. Co-funding for three fresh and three frozen cycles allows couples to freeze and store excess embryos produced from fresh cycles, and to follow up with a frozen treatment cycle subsequently if required.

• 8. Why is co-funding only provided for three Intra-Uterine Insemination cycles? What about subsequent cycles for couples who may need it?

  The number of co-funded cycles is set based on the typical clinical practice where couples usually try three cycles of Intra-Uterine Insemination before moving on to Assisted Reproduction Technology.

For further queries, please email MOH at MOH_QSM@moh.gov.sg.

• 1. What is the average pre-delivery and delivery expenses for a Singaporean couple? On average, how much will the MediSave Maternity Package reduce a Singaporean couple’s out-of-pocket costs?

  Expenses can vary and depend on the type of hospital care, subsidies available and delivery procedure required.

  
  A Singaporean couple can also receive up to 80 per cent means-tested subsidies for their delivery episode in a subsidised ward, and up to 70 per cent means-tested subsidies for specialist outpatient care that may be required. After subsidies and MediSave, the average Singaporean couple can expect close to zero out-of-pocket payments for their pre-delivery and delivery expenses.

  Couples that face difficulty affording their subsidised pre-delivery and delivery expenses after MediSave usage can approach medical social workers at public hospitals for financial assistance.

• 2. How do I make a MediSave claim for pre-delivery and delivery expenses under the MediSave Maternity Package?

  You can present the bills for pre-delivery medical care to the hospital where you delivered your baby. The hospital will submit these bills, together with your delivery expenses, as your MediSave claims under the MediSave Maternity Package.