Feature - IVF and Fertility Treatments in Singapore: Costs and Risks
. Health insurance brokers Pacific Prime explain the costs and risks associated with fertility treatments in Singapore...
With exceptional public and private health care systems, and
a plethora of families, both expatriate and local alike, looking for conception
assistance, there are few better places in the world than Singapore to consider
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injections (ICSI) or
similar fertility treatment procedures.
Depending on the treatment(s) recommended by the fertility
specialist and ultimately chosen by the couple, the actual process can vary
greatly: ranging from a series of simple out-patient doctor’s office visits and
regular hormone stimulation medications to more involved, injection-based
methods – some of which may require a stay in hospital for a few days for
monitoring to increase likelihood of conception.
To make the process a little easier and less worrisome, it
is important to know what to expect; including potential risks and costs.
Like any medical procedure, there are inherent risks to both
mother and baby. Furthermore, cost can be a limiting factor for many families,
since conception assistance is not cheap and treatments may not be covered by
some health
insurance policies.
Common IVF Health Risks
Well in advance of beginning any fertility treatments, it is
vital that you have frank discussions with both your partner and your doctor
regarding your hopes and expectations for conception, as well as the reasonable
likelihood of success conceiving a healthy baby based on the parents' ages and
personal health histories. Some health risks to both mother and potential child
that should be considered are:
- Congenital birth defects
- Multiple potential miscarriages
- Multiple fertilizations and/or births
- Premature/underdeveloped birth
- Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHS)
- Ectopic conception or pregnancy
- Labor and delivery complications
- Depression due to unsuccessful conception
- Approximate IVF Costs in Singapore
Conception assistance treatment costs vary widely depending
on the procedure selected, length of each treatment cycle, and the facility
chosen. While the Singapore Ministry of Health has increased the subsidy for
approved conception assistance treatments to 75% for up to three cycles of
treatment in 2013, this program is only extended to citizens, their spouses and
permanent residents. Therefore, expats should be aware that most will not
qualify for any government aid, and will be expected to pay in full
out-of-pocket or via their health insurance cover.
The typical cost for IVF in Singapore for a young, healthy
woman often ranges from SGD$10,000 to $20,000 per treatment cycle, though the
cost can be higher if additional testing, treatments, or therapies are
required. As a result of the broad range in pricing based on the facility and
specialist chosen, it pays to shop around for a clinic that offers both
reasonable fees and payment schedules, and a high success rate.
Of course, this is a very topical discussion of just a few
of the many options for conception assistance available in Singapore.
Consulting with a fertility expert is necessary to have a clear understanding
of the advantages, disadvantages, and potential success rates of each kind of
treatment.
Finally, because undergoing IVF or any other form of
fertility assistance is very costly, it’s critical that you make sure that your
treatments will be covered by a comprehensive health insurance policy.
