Financing Fertility Treatments in Singapore: Subsidies and Insurance

Considering fertility treatment can bring up many questions, especially if you are unsure about the types of insurance and financial support available to you. 

In Singapore, there are various forms of financial support that can help ease the cost of fertility treatments. These may include insurance coverage, subsidies, or other financial schemes designed to support couples along the way.

Understanding how these options work and what they cover can help you decide what options may best suit your situation.

Understanding fertility insurance coverage

In Singapore, not all insurance policies cover fertility treatments automatically. The coverage you have depends on the type of plan and your insurer.

Many standard health insurance plans do not include fertility treatment by default. You may need to add a supplementary rider or a separate plan to get coverage. It is worth taking time to check what your current policy includes before you start treatment.

Government support and MediShield Life

The Singapore government has put in place several schemes to help with the cost of fertility treatment.

Medishield Life

MediShield Life does not cover fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). However, it does cover serious pregnancy complications after conception. In such cases, it may provide up to SGD 700 per day for normal ward stays and SGD 1,200 per day for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care.

For fertility treatment costs, you will need to look at MediSave and government co-funding schemes instead.

MediSave Grant for Newborns (MGN)

The MGN gives every Singaporean newborn a head start on their healthcare savings. For babies born on or after 1 April 2025, SGD 5,000 is deposited into the baby's MediSave account automatically at birth. This can be used to offset hospitalisation costs, subject to MediSave daily withdrawal limits of up to SGD 1,130 for the first two days and SGD 400 per day from the third day onwards.

While MediShield Life does not directly cover fertility treatments, it is still useful to know how it works. Your insurer may offer supplementary maternity plans that sit on top of MediShield Life and cover some fertility-related costs.

Co-funding for IVF and IUI treatments

The Singapore government offers co-funding for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures at public hospitals. ART includes IVF and related treatments. If you are eligible, the government can cover up to 75% of your treatment costs.

The co-funding support generally includes:

• Fresh ART or IVF cycles are co-funded up to SGD 7,700 per cycle

• Frozen ART or IVF cycles are co-funded up to SGD 2,200 per cycle

• IUI cycles are co-funded up to SGD 1,000 per cycle for a maximum of three cycles

• A maximum of 3 fresh and 3 frozen ART cycles are covered in total

Co-funding amounts may differ depending on whether you are a Singaporean citizen couple, a citizen and permanent resident couple, or a citizen and foreigner couple. It is helpful to check your eligibility with your clinic so you can better understand what support is available to you.

You’ll need to meet these requirements to qualify:

• You or your spouse must be a Singaporean at the start of the ART cycle

• You must be below 40 years of age at the start of the ART cycle

• You have not already used up your co-funded cycles

• A doctor has confirmed you meet the clinical requirements for ART

If you are aged 40 and above, you may still be eligible for co-funding on up to 2 out of the 6 total cycles, as long as you have previously attempted ART before turning 40.

Co-funding is only available at public hospitals, specifically the National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).

For the full list of eligibility conditions, visit the MOH Marriage and Parenthood Schemes page.

Using MediSave for fertility treatment

On top of co-funding, you can use your MediSave account to help pay for ART and IUI treatments. MediSave is part of your CPF savings, set aside for healthcare costs. Either you or your spouse can use your MediSave account.

You can use MediSave up to:

• SGD 6,000 for the first cycle

• SGD 5,000 for the second cycle

• SGD 4,000 per cycle for the the third cycle and beyond

• SGD 15,000 per patient for the lifetime withdrawal limit

MediSave can be used at both public and approved private fertility clinics. You may check with your clinic, which will be able to confirm whether they are approved.

Other types of insurance plans available

Other than government schemes, some private insurers offer maternity plans that cover pregnancies from ART procedures.

Here are a few options available in Singapore:

1. Manulife ReadyMummy:

   • This plan covers pregnancies from IVF and IUI. It suits those looking for straightforward coverage that also accounts for ART-related pregnancies.

2. PRUFirst Promise:

   • This maternity plan covers assisted pregnancies and includes benefits for both mother and child. It also covers complications that may arise from fertility treatments.

   • You can learn more about Thomson Medical’s Prudential panel doctors here.

3. Singlife MyMaternityPlan:

   • This plan covers multiple births in a single pregnancy, including those conceived through IVF, as well as various pregnancy complications.

   • You can learn more about Thomson Medical’s Singlife panel doctors here.

These plans offer coverage for ART pregnancies and potential complications, which help manage unexpected costs and allow you to focus on a healthier pregnancy.

If you’re considering IVF or IUI, having the right insurance can ease financial concerns. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical to learn about suitable maternity plans and coverage for potential complications.

What should you consider when choosing which insurance policy to buy?

Not all policies cover the same procedures or complications, and understanding it can help you avoid unexpected expenses and ensure you have the support you need when it matters most.

Before you sign up for any insurance plan, keep these points in mind:

• Waiting periods:

  • Many maternity insurance plans require you to wait at least 12 months before you can make a claim for fertility-related treatments. So if you think you might need fertility treatment in future, it is worth applying for coverage sooner rather than later.

• Coverage limits:

  • Each policy may have a specific cap on claims related to fertility treatments. Hence, couples should be aware of what the specific caps to these claims are to avoid unexpected cash expenses during treatment.

• Exclusions:

  • Not all maternity insurance plans will cover pregnancies conceived through ART. Thus, couples should remember to carefully read the fine print to ensure that their chosen plan meets their needs.

In addition, from June 2026, patients whose fertility may be affected by certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can use MediSave and MediShield Life to cover fertility preservation procedures like egg or embryo freezing. This support applies only to medically necessary cases and does not cover elective egg freezing.

After reviewing fertility insurance options in Singapore, it’s important to carefully consider which plan covers the treatments you need. Consulting a financial advisor who specialises in maternity insurance can help tailor a plan to your unique circumstances and goals.

Understanding fertility treatment costs can help you plan ahead. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical to receive personalised advice on treatment options, expected fees, and financial planning for your journey.

FAQ

Is IVF covered by insurance in Singapore?

Is IVF covered by MediSave?

How much does IVF cost in Singapore?

How many IVF cycles are financially supported?

Can foreign couples access subsidies?

Are there subsidies for IUI or other treatments?

Are there age limits for receiving subsidies?

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered financial advice. For more information, request a consultation with our fertility specialists at Thomson Fertility Singapore for personalised recommendations and tailored advice.