Wedding blog to share interesting ideas I have found.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Financial Perks and Assistance for having Babies in Singapore

As a newfound mummy, I cant helped but worry about the various expenses from Antenatal Package to Delivery Package to future 101 costs, it's really much of a headache. Thank goodness, with the National Library just next to my house, I dropped in occasionally to borrow all the local motherhood magazines for reference on the types of products available and a tip or two from the stories found in the magazines which is relevant and local to Singapore context.

So I came upon ths particular post about the various incentives of having babies in Singapore and I went on to do a little research around online and pick out those more relevant for me and decided to record it down for most of the mummies out there like me as I know we are suffering from those pregnancy brain (forgetfulness) during this particular time.

1) Medisave Maternity Package
The Medisave Maternity Package enables you to use your Medisave, for the delivery and pre-delivery medical expenses of your first four children.

Medisave Withdrawal Limit under the Medisave Maternity Package

Delivery ProcedureNo. of days of HospitalisationMedisave Withdrawal Limit under the Medisave Maternity Package (including pre-delivery expenses)Medisave Withdrawal Limit for Delivery Procedure (Non-Medisave Maternity Package)
Vaginal delivery (normal)
3

Up to $2,550

Which comprises of: - $1,350 ($450 x 3 days) for daily hospital charges; and - $1,200 for Medisave Maternity Package

Up to $2,100

Which comprises of: - $1,350 ($450 x 3 days) for daily hospital charges; and - $750 for Delivery Procedure
Caesarean delivery (normal)
4Up to $4,400

Which comprises of: - $1,800 ($450 x 4 days) for daily hospital charges; and - $2,600 for Medisave Maternity Package
Up to $3,950

Which comprises of: - $1,800 ($450 x 4 days) for daily hospital charges; and - $2,150 for Delivery Procedure


MOH has put in place the Medisave Maternity Package to further help couples with delivery expenses as well as pre-delivery medical expenses (such as consultations, ultrasound).
To claims pre-delivery charges from Medisave, parents need just to present the bills incurred for your pre-delivery medical care to the hospital where you will be having your baby. The hospital will submit these bills, together with the delivery expenses, for Medisave claims under the Medisave Maternity Package.

You will be able to claim up to a maximum of $450 from Medisave for these charges.

Source: http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/hcfinancing.aspx?id=19744

Princess Christine:

So far I have been seeing Dr Lawrence Ang from TMC (Sembawang Branch) as he is one of the few rare experience gynae that charges at a very low rate. However, being experience and affordable comes at a price for Dr Lawrence Ang is sooooo popular, his queue is always an hour long despite it being an appointment base consultation. He also speaks at a fast speed which might irritate preggy mummies who are looking for a gynae who sayang and pampers them with attention. Even said that, Dr Ang is still very responsible and caring and he calls back personally even after consultation time if you are looking for him with regards to any worries you have which i find it dear to my heart.


Dr Lawrence Ang's Antenatal and Delivery packages with Medisave deduction (As dated in Oct 2010) :

Normal Delivery ***Forceps/VacuumCaesarean
Antenatal Package
S$550

S$550

S$550
Delivery Package(nincluding hospitalization)

S$300

S$300S$600

Total S$850* S$850* S$1150**

Bill portion can be deducted from Medisave

* includes 2 night's stay in hospital (with medisave)

** includes 3 night's stay in hospital (with medisave)



To claims pre-delivery charges from Medisave, parents need just to present the bills incurred for your pre-delivery medical care to the hospital where you will be having your baby. The hospital will submit these bills, together with the delivery expenses, for Medisave claims under the Medisave Maternity Package.

1. Package includes
a. Consultation for all visits (70 max. => no idea what this means)
b. All ultrasound scans in clinic
c. Routine blood tests , multivitamins and urine tests
d. Liquor Assessments at term
e. Postnatal Consultations

2. Packages includes: Nuchal scan for down's syndrome, 4D/3D scan.

3. Package does not include optional tests: Blood test for Down's Syndrome, Detailed Anomaly Scan (in hospital), Amniocentesis

2. Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR)

From Year of Assessment 2009, working mothers can enjoy higher amount of WMCR, up to 100% of their earned income for all their qualifying Singaporean children. The amount of WMCR claimable for each child is based on a specified percentage of the working mother’s earned income corresponding to the child order.

Child Order Year of Assessment 2009
1st 15% of mother’s earned income

2nd 20% of mother’s earned income

3rd 25% of mother’s earned income

4th 25% of mother’s earned income

5th & beyond 25% of mother’s earned income


Where the working mother is claiming both QCR/ HCR and WMCR, QCR/HCR will be allowed first and WMCR will be limited to the remaining balance. The amount of relief claimable for both QCR/HCR and WMCR is capped at $50,000 per child.


3. Parenthood Tax Rebate

From the Year of Assessment 2009, parents can claim PTR for their first child, fifth child and each subsequent child that are born or legally adopted on or after 1 Jan 2008. The amount of PTR claimable for each qualifying Singaporean child is based on the child order.

Child Order Year of Assessment 2009
1st $5,000
2nd $10,000
3rd $20,000
4th $20,000
5th & beyond $20,000 per child

PTR can be used to offset your income tax payable and may be shared with your spouse, based on the apportionment agreed by both parties. Any unutilised rebate will be carried forward to subsequent years until it is fully utilised.

4. Baby Bonus

The Baby Bonus comprises a cash gift and a co-savings component.
Click here for more details on the Baby Bonus.

From 17 Aug 2008, the Baby Bonus cash gift and matching Government contribution through the CDA will be enhanced.

Baby Bonus cash gift

Child order Enhanced for each child
1st & 2nd $4,000
3rd & 4th $6,000
Baby Bonus CDA

Child order Enhanced

1st $6,000
2nd $6,000
3rd & 4th $12,000
5th & beyond $18,000 for each child

The cash gift is given out in four equal instalments over 18 months. The Government will match dollar-for-dollar the amount of savings the parents contribute to the child’s CDA up to the specified ceiling.

A child is eligible for the enhanced Baby Bonus if

The child is a Singaporean born on or after 17 Aug 2008; and
The child’s parents are lawfully married.

Source:


5. Centre-Based Infant Care and Childcare Subsidy

From 17 Aug 2008, the infant care subsidy will be increased from $400 to a maximum of $600 per month to help parents offset the cost of centre-based care. The subsidy applies to all Singaporean children regardless of child order.

The childcare subsidy will be increased from $150 to a maximum of $300 per month. The subsidy applies to all Singaporean children regardless of child order.

Details of subsidy:
http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/uploads/Subsidy_Brochure_Orange_12Oct09.pdf

Source:
http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/home/publications.jsp

6. Grandparent Caregiver Relief
Only working mums are eligible for this =) if a grandparent is caring full time for the child below 12 yrs old.

7. Childcare Leave
We get 6 days of childcare leave/yr if our child is below 7 yrs old. (the no. of childcare leaves does not increase with subsequent kids )

8. Infantcare Leave
6 days of unpaid infantcare leave for parents with a child under 2 yrs old

9. Maternity Leave
4 months of paid Maternity Leave ! (My hot fav)