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PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE AND IVF

YOUR private health insurance will typically only cover a fraction of the cost of infertility treatment — if it is covered at all on your plan. Still, should you be planning a family, be sure you are on a plan with good maternity cover — as well as cover for fertility treatment in case you run into trouble conceiving.

You must have your private health insurance for a year before you have your baby to get maternity cover — or a year before you start any fertility treatment to get fertility cover.

Irish Life Health’s ‘Best Ultimate 2 ILH’ plan covers half of the cost of IVF, IUI (intrauterine insemination) or ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) — up to a maximum of €2,000.

This benefit can be used twice per lifetime. Some Irish Life Health plans give a 10pc discount on certain fertility treatments at Beacon CARE Fertility.

“Semen analysis and blood tests such as anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) testing are covered under most Irish Life Health plans,” said a spokeswoman.

Almost half of Laya Healthcare’s plans offer cover of up to €1,000 per lifetime towards IVF, IUI or ICSI, according to a spokesman for Laya.

“Laya also provides cover for infertility investigations for men and women.

“These can include blood tests, radiology, consultant professional fees, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.”

Cover for treatment and tests will only be provided if undergone in a Laya approved centre.

A number of VHI plans — including One Plan Family — offer cover of up to €1,000 towards IVF or ICSI and this benefit can be used twice per lifetime.

There is also up to €450 cover per lifetime towards the cost of IUI, a €100 discount on both semen analysis and AMH tests, and a €100 discount on the initial consultation at Repromed Ireland clinics.

VHI’s fertility cover is for treatment at Repromed.