Fertility treatment and reproductive care are more prevalent by 2025, yet very costly for most families. With in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other reproductive technologies gaining popularity as acceptable means, the demand for insurance coverage extending beyond regular maternity care is increasing. Here, customized maternity insurance policies have been introduced that cover fertility treatment and IVF assistance, providing much-needed respite to family-making couples with the aid of medical intervention.
This article explores how health insurance in India is changing to cover fertility treatments, what maternity coverage is already offering, and the most significant considerations when choosing the ideal plan in 2025.
What is maternity insurance?
Maternity insurance cover is a health cover that specifically takes care of childbirth expenses. It typically takes care of hospitalisation during birth, consultant fees, pre and post-natal treatment, and even the newborn’s expenses in some cases. Conventional policies never had any cover for the cost of fertility treatment, regarding them to be elective or non-medical. But with the growing medical necessity of fertility treatment, insurers have incorporated benefits such as IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and diagnostic tests under some policies.
These advanced covers are either included in premium comprehensive plans or are available as add-ons to basic health insurance plans. The concept is to provide complete financial security throughout the entire duration of the reproductive process, from conception to delivery.
The increase in demand for IVF and insurance coverage for fertility treatment
IVF and related fertility treatments include a range of high-tech medical treatments that could be expensive. The cost of a single cycle of IVF ranges from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh and is often preceded by the need for successive attempts at two to three cycles or more. One pays various charges involved in hormone therapy, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, laboratory tests, and consulting physician charges.
With the emotional and financial stress of fertility treatment, increasing numbers of couples are now turning towards health insurance policies offering such treatments. Insurers in 2025 have therefore begun offering maternity policies that cover such needs, and infertility treatments are now covered as a benefit under certain conditions.
What maternity insurance covers in 2025?
While they differ from insurer to insurer, these are the common inclusions under a contemporary maternity insurance cover with IVF or fertility treatment coverage:
- IVF and IUI treatments: Reimbursement for consultation, stimulation injections, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer
- Hormonal therapy and medication: Drug reimbursement for fertility enhancement
- Scans and testing: FSH, AMH, HSG, ultrasounds, and blood tests
- Pre-natal and post-natal care: Post-delivery care and medical check-ups
- Hospital delivery: normal delivery or C-section cost, doctor’s fee, and room rent
- Newborn baby cover: Take care of the baby after birth for a short period (usually 90 days)
Some policies will limit the payment amount for the IVF cycles, and other policies will offer conditions like a waiting period or a specified number of therapy cycles.
Fertility add-on benefits and health insurance
Most basic health insurance policies have infertility treatment as an excluded condition under the general policy conditions. But with increased awareness and medical acceptance of reproductive technology, insurers now offer optional add-on covers.
These fertility riders can be added to a general health insurance policy and offer modest but useful coverage for fertility therapy. Policy holders have to subscribe at the purchase or renewal point and meet any waiting period.
These add-ons are perfect for couples or singles trying to have a baby through medical intervention since they provide some coverage for costly procedures that would otherwise be wholly out-of-pocket.
Things to watch out for when selecting maternity insurance with fertility coverage
Waiting period: Most maternity insurance policies have a waiting period of between 9 months and 3 years before maternity and fertility benefits become effective. Buy a policy ahead of time if you will probably have a family in the near future.
- Limits and sub-limits of treatment: IVF and other fertility treatment may have money limits. Care must be taken to see that these limits are set and compared with the estimated procedure cost.
- Age eligibility: Certain policies restrict fertility coverage by age. Always check age-specific eligibility for both you and your partner.
- Number of cycles covered: Policies may cover one or two IVF attempts. Find policies that are flexible or have higher limits if it takes more than one attempt.
- Network hospitals: Make sure that the health insurance provider has networked with fertility hospitals and clinics in your area for cashless hospitalization.
- Inclusions and exclusions: Carefully read the policy terms to know which fertility treatments are included and whether donor procedures or cryopreservation are covered.
Who should make these plans
Couples planning to have late parenthood: As more people opt to start families later in life, fertility issues are becoming increasingly prevalent.
- Individuals with diagnosed fertility issues: Those already consulting for infertility should prioritize these covers early on.
- Couples applying for assisted reproduction: If you are opting for IVF, IUI, or surrogacy, an individual policy can significantly reduce the cost burden.
- Group insurance-limited employees: Maternity or fertility coverage is not usually included in company-sponsored plans. Individual cover offers more protection.
Conclusion
In 2025, maternity insurance is changing to accommodate the times of modern parenting. With mounting fertility problems and the growing reliance on assisted reproductive technology, it is reassuring to see insurers taking a step in the direction of inclusive and design-driven products. By blending fertility support benefits with standard health insurance coverage, these plans offer complete coverage throughout the maternity process. From conception planning to mapping the complicated world of IVF, choosing an expertly designed plan brings peace of mind, financial safety, and access to quality medical care at each stage.
