Navigating the financial aspects of IVF treatment: Understanding Medisave

Couples seeking In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment face both physical and financial challenges. IVF can be a costly process, and this may lead to financial stress for couples who are already coping with the emotional stress of infertility. However, many countries, including Singapore, have government-assisted schemes to help couples fund their IVF treatment. One such scheme is IVF Medisave.

What is Medisave?

Medisave is a national medical savings scheme in Singapore. It is a component of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) which is a mandatory social security savings scheme for all working Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. Medisave enables Singaporeans and Permanent Residents to save a portion of their income into a personal Medisave account to pay for their healthcare needs. The funds in the Medisave account can be used for a variety of medical expenses, including IVF treatment.

Eligibility and Usage

Couples who are eligible for IVF Medisave subsidies must be Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents, married, and have a valid Medisave account. The female partner must also be below 45 years of age at the time of treatment.

The Medisave usage limit for IVF treatment is $15,000 per cycle, and this includes pre-treatment consultations, blood tests, scans, medication, and the IVF procedure. Couples can use their own Medisave account, or they can combine their Medisave accounts with their spouse or immediate family members. If the Medisave funds are insufficient to cover the entire cost, couples can use their Medisave account to partially pay for the treatment and pay the remaining amount in cash or using other modes of payment.

Application Process

To apply for IVF Medisave subsidies, couples must seek treatment from a registered fertility clinic in Singapore. The fertility clinic will assist in the application process, and couples can also check their eligibility and Medisave balance online via the CPF website.

Couples must submit a Medisave Authorisation Form (MAF) to the fertility clinic, which authorises the clinic to deduct the approved Medisave amount from their Medisave account. The MAF must be submitted before the start of the IVF treatment cycle. Once the MAF is approved, the fertility clinic will provide the couple with an itemised bill, which shows the total cost of the treatment, the amount payable using Medisave, and the remaining amount payable in cash or using other modes of payment.

Final Thoughts

IVF treatment can be a costly and emotionally challenging journey for couples. However, with the assistance of government schemes such as Medisave, couples can alleviate some of the financial stress associated with IVF treatment. Couples should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria and understand the Medisave usage limit and application process before seeking IVF treatment. With careful planning and management of their Medisave funds, couples can focus on their treatment and increase their chances of a successful pregnancy.

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