Does UK private health insurance cover IVF?

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guidelines provide recommendations on who can receive IVF treatment on the NHS, although criteria can vary depending on your location.

If you’re not eligible, you may be considering taking out private medical insurance to fund the procedure. If so, it’s important to understand what your insurer will actually cover you for before committing to any policy.

In this article, we’ll be explaining more about private medical insurance and IVF, and what to look out for when taking out cover. We’ve also got a broader guide on pregnancy and health insurance available.

Alternatively, feel free to get in touch if you wish to speak to an advisor right away. You can contact us via our online enquiry form, or call 0808 189 0463 and we’ll refer you to one of the health insurance specialists we work with.

Does private medical insurance cover fertility treatment in the UK?

If you and / or your partner are struggling to conceive naturally, you may be looking into taking out private health insurance to cover the costs of IVF.

Many UK health insurance providers don’t pay out for fertility treatments, for similar reasons that many don’t cover basic pregnancy treatment, cosmetic surgery or transgender operations – because insurance companies deem it a “lifestyle choice”.

However, you may be able to include IVF as part of a health insurance package, but exactly how much and to what extent the process and related treatments are covered is very much insurer-dependant.

How does IVF cover vary by insurer?

The health insurance providers that do offer IVF coverage will vary in terms of which conditions and treatments they are willing to cover and to what extent. They may also have other criteria you have to meet in order to be eligible.

For example, many insurers who claim to “cover” IVF only pay for fertility investigations to be carried out, rather than the treatment itself – not to mention any other associated procedures.

Some providers require you to have been a policyholder (or be named on a policy) for a certain amount of time before you qualify for IVF cover. And even then, again, you may be limited when it comes to what they’ll pay out for.

Others may refuse to cover any fertility-related diagnostic investigations or treatment if you’ve had tests or undergone IVF in the past.

This is why it’s so important to speak to a qualified specialist before taking out cover; just because an insurer claims to offer IVF on their private health insurance plan, doesn’t instantly mean it’s the most suitable option for you.

Give us a call on 0808 189 0463 or make an enquiry online, and we’ll refer you to one of the insurance experts we work with for further advice.

What is the cost of IVF with private health insurance?

As with all types of insurance, how much your monthly premiums will be is very much dependent on your individual circumstances, such as your age, lifestyle, and personal factors, not to mention the provider.

Cost will also be affected by the extent of the cover. So, if you’re after a plan that covers infertility investigations (which are more common) you’re likely to pay less than you would for one which covers the investigations as well as treatment.

There are a whole host of variables to consider, so be sure to get in touch to discuss your options so we can find the most suitable insurer for your circumstances.

Is it worth having private health insurance for IVF?

If you’re looking to take out private medical insurance for IVF purposes alone, it’s difficult to say whether it’s a financially viable option without knowing more about your individual circumstances.

Because it isn’t something commonly covered by health insurance, your monthly premiums could be very expensive. For the best advice, speak with an expert.

How do I find the best private medical insurance for fertility treatment?

Speak to an expert first! We pride ourselves in arranging perfectly tailored insurance cover to our customers, and the best way to ensure you get the most suitable plan for your needs is to speak to us directly.

We understand that this is a sensitive topic, but you can rest assured that you’ll be in safe hands. We only work with experienced, qualified advisors, and have whole-of-market access to insurance providers covering all niches.

Give us a call on 0808 189 0463 or make an enquiry and we’ll discuss your situation in more detail and advise you on the next steps to take.