To support the aspirations of Singaporean families, the Government has introduced a range of financial schemes aimed at easing the costs associated with conception, pregnancy, and newborn care. These Marriage and Parenthood Schemes are designed to assist citizens through various stages of their parenthood journey, offering co-funding and subsidies through MediSave, MediShield, and targeted government support programs.
Financial Assistance for Conception and Newborn Care
The Singapore Government provides several financing options for Singapore Citizens, particularly in the areas of assisted conception, maternity care, and infant healthcare. While most expenses are covered through existing health plans like MediSave and MediShield, the Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) Scheme stands out as a unique co-funded initiative.
Co-Funding for Assisted Conception Procedures (ACPs)
Couples undergoing Assisted Conception Procedures (ACPs) at public Assisted Reproduction (AR) centres are eligible for government co-funding of up to 75%. This support has been available since 1 January 2020 and applies to treatments including:
- Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART), with co-funding for up to 3 fresh and 3 frozen ART cycles
- Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI), with up to $1,000 co-funding per cycle for 3 cycles
- Women aged 40 and above are eligible for government co-funding for up to 2 of the 6 ART cycles, provided they have attempted AR or IUI before turning 40
What Treatments Are Covered?
| Types of Assisted Conception Procedures (ACPs) | Singapore Citizen Couple | Singapore Citizen-Permanent Resident Couple | Singapore Citizen-Foreigner Couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh ART cycles | 75%; up to $7,700 | 55%; up to $5,700 | 35%; up to $3,600 |
| Frozen ART cycles | 75%; up to $2,200 | 55%; up to $1,600 | 35%; up to $1,000 |
| IUI | 75%; up to $1,000 | 55%; up to $700 | 35%; up to $500 |
The co-funding supports a wide range of ART treatments such as:
- In-vitro fertilisation (IVF), with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- In-vitro maturation, donor cycles, and double stimulation cycles
- Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)
- Preparatory medical procedures that are part of the ART treatment process and clinically required
These procedures must be performed at participating public hospitals and AR centres to qualify for funding.
Eligibility Criteria for ART Co-Funding
To qualify for ART co-funding under this scheme, couples must meet the following conditions:
- The woman must be below 40 years old at the start of the ART cycle (except for the final two cycles)
- The couple must not have already received 3 co-funded fresh and 3 frozen cycles
- The couple must undergo a medical evaluation and be deemed clinically eligible by a licensed doctor
- At least one spouse must be a Singapore Citizen at the start of the ART treatment
Medical tests and assessments to determine eligibility may take up to three months.
| Types of procedures | Singapore Citizen Couple | Singapore Citizen-Permanent Resident Couple | Singapore Citizen-Foreigner Couple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embryo Biopsy1 | 75%; up to $3,260 | 55%; up to $2,390 | 35%; up to $1,520 | ||
| PGT-SR Testing | 75%; up to $8,990 | 55%; up to $6,590 | 35%; up to $4,190 | ||
| PGT-M | Work-up | Common | 75%; up to $8,980 | 55%; up to $6,590 | 35%; up to $4,190 |
| Rare | 75%; up to $23,300 | 55%; up to $17,090 | 35%; up to $10,880 | ||
| Testing (Common/Rare) | 75%; up to $4,860 | 55%; up to $3,560 | 35%; up to $2,270 | ||
| 1 Embryo biospy co-funding will only be available at public AR centres and must be conducted as part of a PGT-M or PGT-SR cycle to be eligible for co-funding. | |||||
No Application Needed
Eligible couples do not need to submit a separate application. If all criteria are met, co-funding is automatically applied through the public healthcare provider managing the treatment. Additional information can be requested from the respective healthcare institution.
Co-Funding for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
The Government also provides co-funding for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic/Single Gene Defects (PGT-M) and Chromosomal Structural Rearrangements (PGT-SR). These tests help identify potential genetic issues in embryos before implantation during an ART cycle.
Benefits of the PGT Co-Funding Scheme
Under this scheme, eligible couples may receive up to 75% in co-funding for:
- Up to 6 cycles of PGT-M or PGT-SR (in any combination)
- 2 of these 6 cycles can be claimed by women aged 40 and above, if they began assisted reproduction before age 40
Co-funding is provided for each phase of the testing process. However, the availability of co-funding is divided by procedure location:
- Embryo biopsy funding is only available at public AR centres
- Lab testing and genetic analysis are covered only if performed by public institutions, currently offered at the National University Hospital’s Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis Centre
The Marriage and Parenthood Schemes in Singapore reflect the Government’s commitment to supporting families throughout their parenthood journey. By reducing the financial burden of fertility treatments and genetic testing, these co-funding initiatives help more Singaporeans start and grow their families with confidence and peace of mind.