Inquiring about insurance coverage options for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments in India?

In India, navigating the world of fertility treatments can be a complex and costly journey. However, some health insurance policies are now offering coverage for IVF and related procedures, providing a glimmer of hope for couples seeking to start a family.

One such policy is the IVF Suraksha Scheme, offered by Craft Hospital and Research Center. This scheme provides coverage for two IVF-ICSI treatments, up to five embryo transfers, blastocyst transfer, and assisted hatching and freezing of any additional embryos. The initial payment for this scheme is Rs 2.75 lakhs, which covers the costs for the two treatments. It's important to note that the scheme does not cover costs involved in the event of a miscarriage, hormone injections, medication payments, tubal pregnancy, and the fees required for registration, consultation, and lab tests.

Another option is the BMB Nirbhaya scheme, a general health insurance policy that provides coverage for infertility treatments, hospitalization-related expenses, maternity care, and miscarriage expenses. This scheme is unique in India as it is the only general health insurance policy that offers IVF coverage and is available to women of different financial statuses. The premium for the BMB Nirbhaya cover, which provides insurance coverage of Rs 1 lakh, starts at Rs 1,745 for women who are 22 years old and above. The sum insured for the BMB Nirbhaya cover ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

Moreover, the BMB Nirbhaya cover includes a claim-free gynaecological check from the 4th year onwards and maternity expenses are covered from the third year. It offers a cashless facility and maternity coverage up to the first two children.

General health insurance policies in India do not typically cover IVF procedures. However, there are exceptions. For instance, One Health by Magma HDI Insurance is a health insurance policy that covers IVF and similar fertility treatments. Magma HDI offers four plans (support, support plus, shield, and premium) for infertility treatment insurance coverage in India, with key benefits including pre and post-hospitalization expenses, IVF treatment, free annual health checkups, and more. The sum insured for Magma HDI's support plan, a basic cover, starts at Rs. 2 lakhs, with additional covers increasing the cost up to Rs. 5 lakhs maximum. These plans also come with a co-pay option of 10% to 20% of the amount and a tenure that lasts between 1 to 3 years.

The cost for a single IVF-ICSI treatment under the IVF Suraksha Scheme starts at Rs 1.75 lakhs, but for subsequent treatments, the cost can go up to Rs 3.5 lakhs. The cost of IVF procedure in India varies from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh, depending on factors such as hospital, specialists, and health condition. Based on success rates, the cost of IVF procedure in India ranges from 1-1.4 Lakh for low to normal success rate, 1.3-2 Lakh for medium success rate, and 2-2.4 Lakh for high success rate.

It's worth noting that couples seeking treatments under the IVF Suraksha Scheme must undergo a physical fitness test prior to availing the scheme.

In addition to IVF Suraksha and BMB Nirbhaya, some insurance companies like HDFC ERGO, Max Bupa, and Religare (now Care Health Insurance) offer coverage for other fertility treatments in their standard health insurance plans.

In conclusion, while the cost of IVF treatments in India can be prohibitive, the availability of insurance policies specifically designed to cover these treatments is a step in the right direction. As more and more couples struggle with infertility, it's crucial that affordable and accessible options for IVF coverage become more widespread.

Inquiring about insurance coverage options for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments in India?