Experts call for bringing fertility treatments under insurance cover

With the number of infertility cases rising in the country, health experts have pitched for an urgent need to include fertility treatments in health insurance plans to minimise financial risks of persons seeking help.

Currently, both private and public health insurers do not include fertility procedures and treatments under their cover plans, experts said.

According to a study by a Bengaluru-based medical technology company, 27.5 million couples in India are suffering from infertility and are actively seeking children. The number is estimated to rise by more than 10 per cent by 2020.

Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, gynaecologist, obstetrician and IVF expert, Nurture IVF Centre, said health insurance plans providing cover for all fertility procedures, treatment and care would be a boon for affected couples who presently cannot afford advanced treatment.

"Infertile couples have now options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment where the eggs and sperm are combined and fertilised 'in ..