Gangseo-gu Expands Financial Support for Infertile Couples' Treatment Costs

Support for Seoul-Type Infertile Couples' Treatment Costs When IVF Health Insurance Coverage Is Exhausted

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) has significantly expanded financial support for infertility treatment costs to alleviate the economic and psychological burdens faced by families struggling with infertility.

The infertility treatment cost support program provides assistance with out-of-pocket or non-reimbursed expenses for infertility treatments to couples with a household income at or below 180% of the median income.

Previously, support was provided up to 10 treatment sessions for infertile couples where the woman was under 44 years old. However, the age limit has been removed, and the number of supported sessions has increased to a total of 17: 7 fresh embryo IVF treatments, 5 frozen embryo IVF treatments, and 5 artificial insemination treatments.

The maximum support amount per treatment session has also increased, with up to 1.1 million KRW available depending on the type and number of treatments.

Additionally, since February, the district has been implementing the “Seoul-type Infertile Couple Treatment Cost Support Program,” which provides additional financial support to infertile couples who have exhausted all 7 health insurance-covered fresh embryo IVF treatment sessions and must bear the full cost of treatment.

The Seoul-type program offers up to 1.8 million KRW per fresh embryo IVF treatment session, regardless of income, for up to 3 sessions.

Infertile couples wishing to apply should visit the Health Management Division on the 3rd floor of the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center before treatment to apply. Support is granted after the health center completes the approval process. Note that for the Seoul-type program, both spouses must register as members on the Seoul Pregnancy and Childbirth Information Center website (https://seoul-agi.seoul.go.kr) to apply.

Required documents for application include the original infertility diagnosis, resident registration certificate, family relation certificate (if spouses have different registered addresses), health insurance card, and health insurance payment confirmation.

For common-law couples, additional documents such as court or government agency rulings recognizing the common-law status, official documents, or resident registration certificates verifying cohabitation for over one year must be submitted.

A district official stated, “We hope this support helps infertile couples to healthily welcome their precious children,” and added, “We will do our best to support happy and healthy childbirth and parenting.”

Last year, the district supported 1,170 infertility treatment cases with over 380 million KRW, achieving 295 successful pregnancies, reflecting a 25% pregnancy success rate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.