Debated in Parliament on 4 Mar 2021.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health under what specific conditions do we allow patients to exceed the MediSave withdrawal limits for in-vitro fertilisation-related procedures.
MediSave is primarily intended to help Singaporeans put aside savings for their basic healthcare needs in retirement, including hospitalisation expenses, costly outpatient treatments, and premiums for national health insurance schemes. The withdrawal limits for Assisted Conception Procedures (ACP) are designed to strike a balance between supporting couples with their immediate expenses, and preserving sufficient savings for old age.
These limits are generally sufficient to cover the cost of ACP at public Assisted Reproduction (AR) centres, after co-funding. After co-funding and MediSave usage for the first cycle, 8 in 10 eligible Singaporean couples would incur no out-of-pocket expense, while 9 in 10 eligible Singaporean couples could expect to pay no more than $500.
Nevertheless, some couples may encounter unexpectedly large bills for ACP. Each appeal is assessed holistically and on a case-by-case basis, taking the patient's unique circumstances into account, such as the family's financial and social situation. For instance, we have in the past approved appeals from couples who were unable to afford the cost of their treatment even after co-funding and MediSave use, due to unexpected medical complications during a cycle.
The Government will continue to support Singaporean couples in their pursuit for parenthood. We will continue to review our healthcare financing schemes for ACP to ensure that they remain relevant and adequate for Singaporeans' needs.
PAPERCUTS