Debated in Parliament on 7 Mar 2019.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry can provide an update on the review it is conducting on getting more companies to offer neo-natal insurance for in-vitro fertilisation.
The Assisted Reproduction Programme (ARP) insurance scheme provides protection against unexpected cost of neonatal care incurred by babies conceived via in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), in the event that specialised care is required. It provides a cash benefit of $150 or $300 per day, if the baby is admitted to a Special Care Nursery or a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) respectively. Since 1994, couples are required to purchase ARP insurance when they enroll for IVF, as MediShield did not previously cover neonatal conditions.
With the introduction of MediShield Life, it now provides universal coverage for all Singapore Citizens (SC) from birth. It provides coverage of up to $700 per day of normal ward hospitalisation and $1,200 per day of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hospitalisation. The MediSave Grant for Newborns (MGN), introduced since 2012, can also be used to offset hospitalisation costs, up to the MediSave withdrawal limits of $450 per day. We will also be extending MediShield Life coverage to serious pregnancy or delivery complications, which will take effect from 1 April 2019.
MOH has therefore decided to remove the requirement for couples to purchase ARP insurance before undergoing IVF, effective 1 April 2019. Insurers may continue to offer ARP insurance or similar products, if they assess that there is sufficient demand. Couples who wish to have additional coverage beyond MediShield Life and MediSave, can still purchase ARP insurance or other maternity insurance plans in the private insurance market to meet their needs.
PAPERCUTS