Support for Egg and Sperm Freezing for Expected Permanent Infertility... Up to 2 Million Won for Women

Ministry of Health and Welfare to Cover 50% of Out-of-Pocket Costs Once in a Lifetime
"Securing Future Possibilities for Pregnancy and Childbirth"

On April 28, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the launch of a new program to support the freezing of eggs and sperm for men and women who are expected to experience permanent infertility and require fertility preservation.

This initiative targets men and women whose reproductive function may be permanently impaired due to surgery, cancer treatment, or similar reasons. It provides support for the freezing and preservation of reproductive cells?eggs and sperm?to secure future possibilities for pregnancy and childbirth while reducing the financial burden. The program’s budget for this year is 582 million won (based on national funding).

Eligible recipients are individuals with medical reasons specified in Article 14 of the Enforcement Decree of the Mother and Child Health Act. This includes those undergoing adhesiolysis of uterine appendages, appendage tumor excision, partial ovarian resection, orchiectomy, malignant testicular tumor excision, epididymectomy, cancer treatment, or those with chromosomal abnormalities that are expected to result in permanent infertility. Cancer treatment refers to chemotherapy, radiation therapy including the abdominal and pelvic regions, and immunosuppressive therapy. Chromosomal abnormalities include Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and decreased reproductive function due to balanced translocation. Support is available regardless of age, income, or marital status.

Eligible individuals can receive a one-time subsidy covering 50% of their out-of-pocket expenses for egg or sperm freezing. Women can receive up to 2 million won for costs related to ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, freezing, and storage. Men can receive up to 300,000 won for costs related to semen collection, freezing, and storage.

To receive this support, individuals must first undergo the egg or sperm freezing procedure at a medical institution and pay the costs upfront. They can then apply for reimbursement at the public health center responsible for their registered residential address.

Applications are accepted if reproductive cells were collected on or after January 1, 2025. The application must be submitted within six months of the collection date, and once the application is completed, the subsidy will be provided within one month from the date of application.

Kim Sanghee, Director of Population and Child Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We hope that the implementation of this program will open up possibilities for pregnancy and childbirth for those concerned about impaired reproductive function." She added, "The government will continue to do its best to create a healthy environment for pregnancy and childbirth in the future."