Restrictions for Enhanced Co-Funding For Assisted Reproduction Technology Treatment

Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the rationale for capping the eligibility of Enhanced Co-Funding For Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) Treatment at age 40 and below for women; and (b) whether the Ministry will review the criteria to allow couples who are above 40 and have met all other requirements to be part of this programme.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: As part of the recent 2013 Marriage and Parenthood package, the Government co-funding for Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) treatments was enhanced to cover up to 75% of treatment costs, capped at $6,300 per cycle and $1,200 per cycle for three fresh and three frozen treatment cycles respectively. Couples with more than one child will also be eligible for co-funding. Prior to the enhancements, ART co-funding is only provided to cover up to 50% of treatment costs, capped at $3,000 per cycle for three fresh cycles.

The age criterion for the ART co-funding scheme, currently set at 40 years old, is based on current clinical evidence which shows that the chance of conception for a woman who undergoes ART treatment decreases with age, with significantly lower success rate after 40. The ART co-funding scheme is meant to encourage couples with difficulty conceiving to seek treatment early and hence focuses on those who start their cycle before turning 40 years of age.

We will continue to monitor the clinical evidence and update the eligibility criteria where appropriate.