In a bid to alleviate the financial burden on couples seeking in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproduction technologies, Beijing has implemented a new policy that includes 16 types of such treatments in the basic health insurance coverage. Since the policy came into effect on July 1, the cost of these procedures has been reduced by 30 to 50 percent, prompting an influx of patients from across the country, attracted by Beijing’s renowned medical resources.
The implementation of the new policy has resulted in a surge of over one-third in the number of patients seeking assisted reproduction technologies. Due to this increased demand, patients are now required to register two weeks to one month in advance to secure appointments with celebrated doctors at the Peking University Third Hospital Reproductive Center in Beijing.
To facilitate payment for these treatments, the Reproductive Center has updated its self-service machines to include a medical insurance payment option. However, the reimbursement limit varies depending on different policies in different regions.
One fortunate patient, Meng Zi (pseudonym), expressed her relief at being among the first batch of patients to have her IVF embryo transfer fees covered by medical insurance. Meng Zi explained that while the total cost amounted to 5,314 yuan ($737), she only had to pay 1,976 yuan due to the insurance coverage. This financial assistance provided her with peace of mind as she may require multiple embryo transfers to achieve a successful pregnancy.
Unfortunately, not all couples have experienced the same relief. A couple from Shanxi Province shared their financial struggle, having already spent over 100,000 yuan on examinations and a single failed IVF cycle. Shanxi Province has yet to include assisted reproduction technologies in its basic insurance coverage, leaving the couple to shoulder the full cost of another IVF cycle. Additionally, they face additional expenses for accommodation and travel to Beijing, adding to their financial burden.
Responding to these challenges, the husband left a message on a public webpage dedicated to soliciting advice from provincial leaders, urging Shanxi Province to swiftly include assisted reproduction technologies in its medical insurance coverage. Similar suggestions have been made by residents across the province, with many emphasizing the importance of financial assistance for couples struggling with conception.
In addition to Beijing, various regions in China have also announced increased financial support for couples seeking assisted reproduction technologies. For example, Liaoning Province in Northeast China has included 18 such technologies in its local healthcare system since July 1. These initiatives align with the Chinese government’s broader efforts to create a childbearing-friendly society and encourage families to have more children.
China has witnessed a growing demand for assisted reproduction technologies in recent years due to relaxed birth policies and an increase in infertility rates. Data on national reproductive health shows that infertility rates have risen from 12 percent in 2007 to 18 percent in 2020. Experts predict that by 2025, there will be approximately 60 million patients seeking infertility treatments.
While China has seen rapid advancements in assisted reproduction technologies, uneven distribution of medical resources, high costs, and incomplete policies have hindered access for many individuals and couples. A full IVF cycle can range from 30,000 to 50,000 yuan, and couples often require two to three cycles to achieve pregnancy, further increasing the financial burden. The affordability of these treatments remains a challenge for 60 percent of Chinese families.
Research from the YuWa Population Research Institute suggests that financial support for assisted technologies can significantly increase birth rates. According to the report, if the government were to provide subsidies of 20 percent, 50 percent, and 80 percent for a single cycle, the number of newborns in China could increase by 151,000, 302,000, and 453,000 respectively by 2030.
As China grapples with a declining birth rate, the inclusion of assisted reproduction technologies in medical insurance is seen as a pivotal policy measure to promote childbirth. Many experts are calling for further initiatives to create a childbearing-friendly society, including increased financial support for couples opting to have more than one child. Several regions in China have already introduced policies such as extended maternity leave, enhanced maternity allowances, and support for home purchases to encourage families to raise multiple children.