MOH: New Co-funding Scheme to Support Couples' Pre-implantation Genetic Testing

The Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced a new co-funding scheme and extended the MediSave coverage for Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic/Single Gene Defects (PGT-M) and Chromosomal Structural Rearrangements (PGT-SR) beginning today, July 1.

The changes are in line with the Singaporean government's aim to support the parenthood plans of couples, specifically for those who want to conceive but are at risk of passing on serious inheritable diseases to their children.

According to a press release by the MOH yesterday, couples with at least one Singaporean spouse and are clinically eligible for PGT-M or PGT-SR can get up to 75% co-funding. The level of co-funding and co-funding caps would depend on the couples' citizenship. The female spouse must also be below 40 years old at the start of the PGT-M or PGT-SR cycle.

The PGT-M or PGT-SR process includes pre-test workup, embryo biopsy, and testing. As per the MOH, it takes around six months to a year for an in-vitro-fertilisation (IVF) cycle and PGT to be completed.

The MOH added couples eligible for PGT-M or PGT-SR can use their MediSave to cover the genetic testing, thanks to the government's coverage extension.

The combined cost of either test as well as the associated Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) will be subjected to MediSave limits for Assisted Conception Procedures. This includes S$6,000 for the first cycle, S$5,000 for the second cycle, and S$4,000 for the third and subsequent cycle, up to a lifetime limit of S$15,000 per patient.