Nothing brings greater joy than having children. However, infertility has deprived some couples of this happiness, and it has become one of the major health concerns among young Indian couples. Many affected couples investigate health insurance options in the hope that they will find one that will pay the cost of infertility treatment.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is a medical condition in which a couple cannot conceive even after one year of regular unprotected intercourse. There are two types of infertility, primary and secondary, and both men and women can suffer from this medical condition. Primary infertility is when you cannot conceive despite having unprotected sex for at least one year. On the other hand, secondary infertility is a condition in which you have conceived once but cannot do so again.
Causes of Infertility
Infertility can be due to various reasons. Check out some of the most common causes of infertility in people:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Sedentary lifestyle/ obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Unhealthy eating habits
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Advancing the age of women
- Women's reproductive diseases/conditions, such as PCOS, uterine fibroid, etc.
- Men's reproductive illnesses/conditions, such as lower sperm count & quality, ejaculation issues, etc.
- Pollution
- Infections & tuberculosis
- Genetic reasons
- Frequent use of emergency contraception
- Surgical abortion
Is Infertility Treatment Covered Under Health Insurance?
The cost of infertility treatment is usually not covered by most health insurance plans. However, various health insurance companies have launched health insurance plans that either cover infertility treatment or provide it as an add-on benefit.
Modern health insurance plans' coverage for infertility may vary from health insurance plan to health insurance plan, and some may only pay for certain types of infertility treatment. Therefore, it is good to check the level of infertility coverage before buying one, along with the inclusions and exclusions of a health insurance plan.
Some health insurance plans that cover infertility treatments may have longer waiting periods, expense capping or sub-limits. It is a good idea to compare different health insurance plans that cover infertility treatment to ensure you have the proper coverage and financial support.
Types of Infertility Treatments Covered Under Health Insurance
Below mentioned are some common infertility treatments that may be available as an add-on benefit or are covered under health insurance plans:
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF): This process includes collecting the eggs from the ovaries and fusing them with the sperm in a lab setting to create an embryo. After that, the embryo is placed inside the uterus.
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): In this process, sperm are inserted into the uterus in a lab setting during ovulation.
- Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): This procedure entails combining the sperm and eggs in a lab dish before transferring the mixture into the fallopian tubes.
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This technique includes injecting one sperm into one egg in a petri dish before placing the embryo inside the uterus.
List of IVF Treatment Procedures Covered Under Health Insurance
Below are the different types of IVF treatments covered under health insurance plans.
- Infertility diagnosis only cover
- Medication coverage (fertility drug prescriptions)
- Full infertility insurance cover
- Infertility diagnosis and limited fertility treatment cover
Key Points to Consider While Buying Health Insurance for Infertility Treatment
Infertility treatment costs are not always covered under a health insurance plan. We suggest checking the terms and conditions of your health plan. The following are some of the important things to consider while purchasing health insurance for infertility treatment:
- Check whether the cost of fertility is covered or not.
- Always check the eligibility criteria.
- Always check the treatment covered under the health plan.
- Check if any sub-limits clause is in the health plan or not.
- Always check the waiting period for infertility treatment, as it may vary from insurer to insurer.
- Check the health plan to see if prescribed medicines are also covered.
- Check if any add-on rider is available to cover infertility treatment procedures.
Conclusion
In India, infertility has become a significant health issue. According to the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, around 10-14% of Indians, especially those who live in metropolitan areas, are affected by infertility. The need for a health insurance plan that covers infertility treatment has increased due to the high number of people affected by infertility. It would help if you remembered to compare health insurance plans that best meet your needs, as many health plans available in India include coverage for infertility treatment.