More companies offer IVF coverage even as they rationalise costs

IVF treatment is included separately in some policies, but is either restricted to the total amount in the policy or the number of cases in a year.

While large corporates are opting for separate IVF covers, smaller ones continue to include it within the maternity limit. However, many corporates are refraining from introducing new benefits with significant premium impacts. Instead, they are focusing on incremental cosmetic benefits to manage costs effectively with the premium going up to 12% due to .

"During this year's renewal, the changes are around minor enhancements such as IVF, maternity, and introduction of OPD, while keeping a check on premium increase." said Mohit Agarwal, Founder Volo Health Insurance TPA. "After 2 years of benefit changes post Covid, corporates are looking to stabilise their program to keep the cost increase to minimum considering the 10-12% medical inflation and underlying changes to healthcare consumerism."

Employers offer it to their employees and their dependents and these plans usually cost less than retail insurance plans because the risk is spread over the entire group rather than one person.

This segment has been driving growth in lives covered in recent years as more and more companies became employee- centric and started offering group health plans and various health and wellness benefits. The segment contributed 18.16% (CAGR) growth between FY2017-22, according to Medi Assist DRHP.

"Corporates have started adding IVF into the policy for employees as it is a good benefit that addresses the growing incidence of infertility," said Amitabh Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Star Health and Allied Insurance.