Is IVF covered by Health Insurance?

Bringing your newborn baby home is probably one of the happiest moments in your life. However, several factors often influence this wonderful time for many couples. Dealing with infertility or facing a challenging fertility period is just one of them. In a situation like this, IVF or In-Vitro Fertilisation comes into the picture to help desirous couples conceive. Seeking medical assistance has become common although financial burden of IVF and other similar techniques can be a bit more challenging than the couples are ready to handle. Relying on your medical insurance in the UAE is one of the first things to resort to in such situations. But, is IVF covered by health insurance plans in the UAE? If yes, then what is the extent of coverage? Let’s find out all there is to know about this procedure and the insurance arrangements.

What is IVF?

IVF or In-Vitro Fertilisation is an artificial reproductive process that involves a series of technical procedures to help reproductively challenged couples conceive. It involves the implantation of fertilized embryos into the uterus with the help of medical-grade tools. A complete cycle of IVF can take several weeks to complete from the artificial fertilization to the final implantation. The extended process may also include the whole course of medication that precedes the IVF process.

Does Health Insurance Cover IVF in the UAE?

Fortunately, there are several health insurance providers in the UAE that offer complete or partial coverage for IVF in their medical insurance plans. Daman, Allianz and Aetna are some of the many providers that offer IVF covers in their medical insurance plans in the UAE. Coverage can be subject to a few terms and conditions though, such as waiting period and eligibility details. Costs of IVF covered by medical insurance in the UAE can also differ from provider to provider and plan to plan.

What are the Basic Procedures Covered?

Given below are the details of different Artificial Reproductive Techniques (ART) that most health insurance plans in the UAE cover with their IVF insurance plan:

• Artificial insemination (AI) or Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Simple insemination procedure as a result of the inability to do so naturally.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Includes six steps in total – infertility diagnosis and investigation process, ovarian induction or stimulation, retrieval of the egg, lab fertilization, quality assessment of the embryo, transfer and final implantation.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Direct injection of the selected semen sample into the egg for fertilization without lab procedures.
• Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): Insertion of selected semen and egg samples into the fallopian tubes using laparoscopy.

What is the Type of Coverage that You Can Get?

With IVF, generally, both in-patient and out-patient services are covered with your medical insurance in the UAE. Some plans may only offer in-patient services though. The mode of coverage offered is mostly through direct billing. However, there are a few plans by Daman and other providers that have the reimbursement arrangement. For example, the Daman Premier plan for ex-pats. Make sure that you understand the terms of your medical insurance plan in the UAE clearly and are aware of the services you can get billed or reimbursed from the insurance provider.

What is the Scope of Maternity Coverage in These Plans?

Benefits like consulting sessions and delivery are not a part of the IVF cover offered by your medical insurance in the UAE. These benefits, after a successful IVF procedure, can be redeemed using your maternity cover though. Mind that the waiting period on your maternity cover will still apply here. So, make sure that all the required covers are active and ready to use when you finally decide to go with IVF.

Are There Any Limits Applied on These Covers?

General limitations such as the maximum number of procedures covered in a year, age of the couple, eligibility as per the DOH standard may apply here. Most health insurance providers only cover a maximum of 3 IVF trials every year. This number can fluctuate as per the provider that you choose. Limits can also apply to the assured sum of the IVF cover of medical insurance in the UAE. Some plans and providers cover the complete cost of the procedure up to the maximum number allowed in the tenure of the plan while others may have a sub-limit.  

What Are the General Exclusions?

Given below is a list of general exclusions of IVF covers in medical insurance in the UAE:

• Diagnosis and consultation sessions
• Services taken from an unrecognized clinic or clinics that do not maintain the required standard of medical services.
• Services taken without the supporting diagnostic reports.
• Services taken without prior approval (applicable only for the procedures that require you to have prior approval from the provider)
• Patients with infertility as a pre-existing condition

What About Pre-Existing Conditions and Waiting Period?

The pre-existing condition clause also often applies to the IVF cover of your medical insurance in the UAE. The catch here is that if a patient has bought the cover after being aware of their potential infertility or reproductive challenges, the plan will not cover the treatment costs for them. Unlike other pre-existing conditions, IVF is not covered by the insurance company. As far as the waiting period is concerned, it works just like the way it does in maternity and other similar covers. You buy medical insurance in the UAE which has an IVF cover in it. If the IVF coverage has a waiting period of 6 months, it will begin after you have had that plan for at least 6 months.

Conclusion

IVF is a medical boon for couples experiencing reproductive challenges. With insurance plans in the UAE that cover the costs of this expensive procedure for you, there isn’t much for you to worry about anymore. Just make sure that you have a good understanding of your medical insurance coverage and know how to redeem the benefits. Take assistance from financial experts at PolicyBazaar UAE to know what kind of medical insurance plans would be best in each individual situation. Make sure you choose smartly after comparing all the available options.

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