Does health insurance cover infertility treatments?

So, you’ve decided to start a family, but it’s proved to be a bit more difficult than you expected. Perhaps you are considering undergoing infertility treatments. These treatments carry an elevated cost of both energy and economic effort, which is why you may want to choose an insurance that not only covers as many of the costs as possible, but also helps you feel comfortable and protected at all times.

Fertility rates in Spain have been historically low since the 1990s, and especially when compared to other European counterparts. The average number of children per mother is 1,18 in Spain (source: Statista).2020, and the average age of a mother in her first pregnancy sits around 31,3 years (source: INE), in contrast with just under 30 in Europe on the whole. In 1980, the average age was 28.

Family Planning and Infertility Treatments in Spain

If you’re trying to conceive and are facing difficulties, know that you’re not alone: in 2021, reported 800 000 sought fertility treatments; this number is estimated to be between 15-17% of all live births in Spain.

Family planning – known as planificación familiar in Spain – is the right of a couple or individual to decide when, how and how many children to have, or to have none at all. This includes non-heterosexual couples as well as singles wishing to become parents.

If you are actively trying to conceive and have not gotten pregnant during one year, your gynecologist may refer you to a specialist to diagnose a potential fertility issue. A fertility study will detect or rule out any factors that could contribute to both conception and carrying a healthy baby to term. 

In a basic fertility study, both male and female factors – in the case of a heterosexual couple – should be assessed for specific factors that can reduce fertility, such as irregular ovulation, the condition of the eggs in a woman’s uterine reserve, the number and mobility of sperm or even the condition of the fallopian tubes and cervix. Expect to have your blood drawn and to speak about hereditary conditions and family health.

From there, your physician will recommend a course of treatment for infertility issues, which can include: 

•    Artificial insemination
•    In-vitro fertilization (IVF)
•    Microinjection
•    Embryo adoption

How much do infertility treatments in Spain cost without insurance? 

While treatment is free if you adhere to Seguridad Social in Spain, your qualification for the service(s) can depend on several factors. According to the Spanish Real Decreto 1030/2006, since 2019 all women - including lesbian couples, single women and trans persons with capacity to conceive – have equal access to healthcare options, so long as a GP has signed off that the party should seek reproductive assistance. Also note that there are age limits to infertility treatments (38 years for artificial insemination with a partner; 40 years for donor eggs or sperm and for in vitro; 55 years for men).

There are two drawbacks to using Social Security to conceive: first, the wait periods tend to be longer for both testing as well as care options. Further, Social Security also limits the number of rounds of treatments – typically a maximum of three – for conception. Note that there could be further restrictions by autonomous community, as well.

If you choose to pay out-of-pocket or through a clinic that does not accept your insurance policy, you can expect to pay the following prices per infertility treatment:

• At-home ovulation tests: up to 60€ a box
• Fertility tests and subsequent counseling: 200 to 500€
• Artificial insemination (including diagnoses and processing): 700 to 1800€; price depends on whether the sperm comes from a parent or from a sperm bank
• In-vitro fertilization: 3,500 to 5,000€
• Embryo adoption: 1,700 to 3,000€

Those who have private health insurance often have myriad options for fertility testing and conception, according to the level of coverage they have chosen, and ultimately can reduce costs drastically.

Caser Expat Insurance offers special coverage for growing families. In addition to having their insurance policies tailored especially for expats living in Spain with professionals working in a number of languages, Caser insurances are very aware that many of them bring their families with them, or are starting them in their new life in Spain. This is why Caser offers more than one policy that covers assisted conception.

Caser Activa Insurance 

Activa Caser insurance is oriented towards young people and is designed to keep up with a life that is constantly evolving and changing. This is why it includes several advantages, like only having co-payments on a per-use basis, so you only pay for the things you need, and an affordable monthly fee. Not only does it cover family planning, but also supports the decision to expand the family. With Activa, you are entitled to three attempts at artificial insemination and one attempt at in-vitro fertilisation when one of the partners is infertile.

Caser Integral Insurance

If you choose Integral insurance from Caser, you will find it is a complete coverage that is designed for families with children, but also supports expanding your family. Integral Will give you every treatment and advantage that Activa provides, though you can add other family members for the best Price, ensuring that your entire family receives the best care.

Caser Prestige Insurance

Caser Prestige Insurance, Caser’s most complete insurance policy for family planning, is oriented towards those who don’t want to leave anything to chance and be fully covered: fertility treatments are included in the coverage with no co-payments.

After a successful fertility treatment, your healthcare coverage will also take care of your health, too! Don’t forget that you will need to undergo a myriad of checkups, tests and treatments to be sure that your pregnancy and delivery is as healthy as possible: what important pregnancy tests you should complete and how to prepare for delivery and write a birth plan. Your doctor can also help you manage a high-risk pregnancy.

Caser doesn’t just provide economical options for your conception needs: as a policyholder, you also have access to the best fertility centers in Spain, the right to an additional hospital bed for your partner during delivery and recovery, plus adding your newborn or newly adopted child to your existing policy within 15 days means that you will not have to fill out a health questionnaire, nor will you incur pre-existing fees or mandatory coverage periods.

When family planning, it’s important to think about more than nursery, room colors or baby names: consider taking out insurance prior to conception to ensure optimum health for you and your baby as well as plan ahead for any unforeseen expenses in the event that you need infertility treatments. Take a look at our Guide on the Best Fertility Centres in Spain below: