
Navigating fertility challenges can be an emotional and expensive journey. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, we understand you are looking for clarity. This guide explores what cover for fertility treatment is available through private medical insurance in the UK.
Let's be direct: standard private medical insurance (PMI) policies in the UK do not typically cover fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). Most insurers view infertility not as a short-term, curable (acute) condition, but as a longer-term (chronic) one. PMI is designed to cover the former.
However, the picture is not entirely black and white. Some policies may offer limited support in specific areas:
Understanding these nuances is key. The role of an expert PMI broker is to help you decipher the small print and find a policy that offers the best possible support for your circumstances.
For many couples and individuals in the UK, the path to parenthood involves navigating both NHS and private healthcare options. The differences are significant, particularly in terms of eligibility and cost.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines on who should have access to fertility treatment on the NHS in England and Wales.
NICE guidelines suggest:
Unfortunately, these are only guidelines. In reality, provision varies dramatically depending on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). This "postcode lottery" means your access to NHS-funded IVF can depend entirely on where you live. Some areas offer the full three cycles, while others offer only one, or none at all. Waiting lists can also be extensive, often lasting over a year.
Faced with restrictive criteria and long waits, many turn to the private sector. While this offers more control and faster access, the costs are substantial.
Here is a breakdown of typical private treatment costs in the UK. Please note these are estimates for 2025 and can vary significantly between clinics.
| Treatment / Service | Average Estimated Cost | What's Typically Included |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | £200 – £400 | Meeting with a fertility specialist, initial assessment. |
| One Cycle of IVF | £5,000 – £8,000 | Ovarian stimulation, egg collection, fertilisation, and embryo transfer. |
| Medication for IVF | £1,000 – £2,500 | Hormones required for ovarian stimulation. |
| ICSI Add-on | £1,200 – £1,800 | Specialist procedure to inject a single sperm directly into an egg. |
| Frozen Embryo Transfer | £2,000 – £3,500 | Thawing and transferring a previously frozen embryo. |
| Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) | £800 – £1,500 per cycle | Placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus. |
A single, complete cycle of IVF with medication and consultations can easily exceed £10,000. If multiple cycles are needed, the financial burden can become immense, which is why many people explore whether private health cover can help.
To understand why fertility treatment is rarely covered, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental principle of private medical insurance in the UK.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that begin after your policy starts.
Insurers classify infertility as a chronic condition. Because it cannot be "cured" in the traditional sense and treatment can be ongoing over a long period, it falls outside the scope of standard PMI cover.
Furthermore, all PMI policies exclude pre-existing conditions. If you have already been diagnosed with, or have sought medical advice for, fertility issues before taking out a policy, any related investigations or treatments will be automatically excluded from your cover.
While full IVF funding is off the table for most policies, some providers offer benefits that can be genuinely helpful on your fertility journey. The level of cover almost always depends on whether you have a standard individual policy or are part of a large corporate scheme.
This is the most common and accessible form of fertility-related benefit. If you and your partner are struggling to conceive, some policies will cover the diagnostic phase to find out why. This could include:
Covering these initial steps can save you between £500 and £1,500 in private medical bills, providing valuable answers and helping you plan your next steps, whether on the NHS or privately.
A small number of premium-tier or enhanced health insurance plans may offer a fixed financial contribution towards fertility treatment. This is more common in corporate policies offered by large employers as a competitive staff benefit.
The market offerings can be confusing. Below is a simplified table outlining the general approach of major UK providers. This is a guide only, and specific cover depends on the exact policy you choose.
| Provider | Standard Individual/Family Policy | Typical Corporate/High-Tier Policy |
|---|---|---|
| AXA Health | Generally excludes fertility treatment. May cover investigations for an underlying medical cause. | Some corporate schemes may offer enhanced fertility benefits as an add-on. |
| Aviva | Treatment is excluded. Limited cover for investigations into infertility may be available on higher-tier plans. | Corporate plans can be tailored to include more extensive fertility benefits and support pathways. |
| Bupa | Excludes all fertility treatment. Some cover for investigating underlying causes may apply. | Bupa has a strong corporate offering, and larger schemes can include significant fertility benefits. |
| Vitality | Excludes treatment. Offers some limited cover for investigations on certain plans, plus wellness rewards. | Corporate schemes can add benefits for fertility investigations and treatment contributions. |
As you can see, the theme is consistent: investigations may be covered, but treatment is not.
Trying to navigate this complex market alone can be overwhelming. This is where an independent, expert broker like WeCovr becomes an invaluable partner.
Our goal is to provide you with the clarity and confidence to choose the right private medical insurance in the UK. Based on our high customer satisfaction ratings, clients appreciate our transparent and supportive approach.
Since PMI is unlikely to be the answer for funding full treatment, it's wise to consider other financial strategies.
A fertility journey can be emotionally and physically demanding. Focusing on your overall health and wellbeing is not just beneficial for your state of mind—it can also positively impact your chances of success.
What you eat can influence hormonal balance and reproductive health. Consider incorporating:
To help you on this journey, WeCovr provides complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, for all our PMI and life insurance clients.
Moderate, regular exercise is excellent for reducing stress and maintaining a healthy weight, both of which are important for fertility. Aim for activities you enjoy, such as:
Avoid very high-intensity exercise, as some studies suggest it can negatively affect ovulation and fertility in some women.
The link between chronic stress and fertility is well-documented. Prioritising your mental wellbeing is essential.
As you plan for your family's future, consider protecting it. WeCovr offers discounts on other policies, such as life or critical illness cover, when you take out a PMI policy with us.
The world of private health cover can be complex, especially when it comes to specialised areas like fertility support. While a policy is unlikely to fund IVF, it may provide valuable help with diagnostics and give you faster access to specialists for related conditions.
The key is to get expert, impartial advice.
Ready to explore your options? Speak to a WeCovr expert today for a free, no-obligation quote and find the right private health cover for you.






