I received an email from the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa. They are taking some much needed action on infertility cover for our medical aid.
Discovery is having its AGM on 6 June 2014. The IAASA will use this meeting to petition for infertility coverage.
Cal Volks of the IAASA says:
Infertility is a recognised disease (WHO – Nov 2009) and also on the Prescribed Minimum Benefit list as regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes. Furthermore, the Medical Schemes Act states that medical aid providers have to cover AT LEAST what is offered in public health care. IVF in public sector is subsidised.
We are not asking for an unending amount. It has to be financially viable such as R100 000 only.
I asked how long it would take for things to take effect if the whole thing works. Meggan Zunckel says:
Medical Aids only review their policies annually so the best case scenario would be from January 2015 but it is difficult for me to put a timeline to it. Only if we get enough proxies does the motion go to board level for investigation and it is then out of our hands how long they investigate for.
Well, I think it is a case worth fighting for, whatever the outcome, I am proud of this organisation for doing something about infertility coverage.
If you are a DIscovery member and cannot attend the meeting there is something you can do to support them. You can fill in a form to allow someone else to be your proxy vote.
All you need to do is:
1) Read further instructions on their site here.
2) Fill in the form here.
3) Scan and email (meggan@ifaasa.co.za) or fax it 086 689 7125
Please, even if you have no problems conceiving, do this for those of us who need this coverage desperately. Sharon of the Blessed Barrenness says she spent over R400 000 on infertility treatments. I added up one year’s treatment (IUI#2) and you can read that post here. The fertility treatment (in 2010) cost almost R6000 but when you add on all the over stuff (acupuncture, homeopath, vitamins etc), some of which the medical aid did cover, it came to over R13000.
Fertility treatment is a lifesaver, but it comes with a huge price tag.
Help us make a difference and send those proxy forms over before 4 June!
Update 2024
I received a press release from JustMoney.co.za which was about budgeting for your fertility journey, but it contained this useful information.
Discovery Medical Aid and infertility
Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health, says that the Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) benefit gives Executive and Comprehensive plan members access to a list of female infertility procedures and treatments up to a limit of R129,000 per person, per year, subject to specific rules. The benefit covers a comprehensive basket of care.
A member is liable for a 25% co-payment of the costs, any amount over the Discovery Health Rate, and any other expenses not covered by the benefit. Discovery pays for up to two cycles of IVF if you are 25 to 39 years old, and one cycle from the age of 40, up to and including 42 years of age, per year.
Enhancements to the benefit in 2022 include egg-donated cycles, embryo freezing, and cryopreservation. The inclusion of egg-donated cycles also provides cover for one cycle for women up to the age of 50 when undergoing IVF with egg donation.
State services
A referral from a local primary healthcare facility or private healthcare provider is required. The costs will depend on the specific treatment and the individual’s situation.
Definitely a worthy cause!