Do Family Health Insurance Plans in India cover surrogacy?

To answer this question straight, individuals and couples yearning to embark on the journey of parenthood through surrogacy can avail themselves of health insurance. However, the entire process may not be as simple as it is warranted by specific rules and regulations under the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021. This article explores the nuances of family health insurance coverage for surrogacy. To begin with, let’s first understand how surrogacy works.

To answer this question straight, individuals and couples yearning to embark on the...

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What is Surrogacy and How Does it Work in India?

Surrogacy refers to a form of pregnancy where a woman bears and gives birth to a baby on behalf of an individual or another couple. While the woman carrying the child can be referred to as the surrogate, the party opting for surrogacy is known as the intended parents.

Considered a pathbreaker in artificial human regenerative innovations (ART), surrogacy has been a boon for thousands of childless couples.

Surrogacy is typically a chosen method for parents who are either medically unfit/unable to conceive or cannot carry a pregnancy to term on their own. In such pregnancies, the intended parents of the child born from surrogacy are considered the legal parents of the child.

To streamline the procedure, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill of 2016 changed the face of surrogate pregnancy. Later, in the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021, the guidelines laid out the need for couples intending gestational surrogacy to mandatorily get health insurance for the surrogate mother, sufficiently covering 36 months (3 years). This was done in addition to bearing the surrogacy cost to guarantee the physical and mental well-being of the surrogate.

Surrogacy Coverage Under Family Health Insurance India

To understand the coverage available for surrogacy under family health insurance, let’s compare the different types of surrogacy prevalent to see how they differ.

Traditional/Altruistic Surrogacy	Gestational Surrogacy

The surrogate is the biological mother herself.	There is necessarily no genetic relationship between the surrogate and the child.
The surrogate mother undergoes artificial insemination with the sperm of the intended father.	The sperm and the egg belong to the intended couple, which is then implanted as an embryo into the surrogate mother’s womb.
After birthing, the baby is handed over to the intended parents.	After birthing, the baby is handed over to the intended parents.
The mother doesn’t get any financial compensation.	The surrogate mother is entitled to compensation and medical coverage.
The medical expenses in this case may or may not be borne by the intended parents.	The cost of surrogacy is to be borne by the intended parents.

How to Shortlist the Best Family Health Insurance Plan for Surrogacy Coverage?

Choosing an appropriate family health insurance policy that covers surrogacy requires consideration of several factors. This brief can come in handy for navigating the right option that suits your surrogacy needs.

Gauge the extent of coverage

The coverage needs could vary from one surrogacy case to another. It is best to evaluate the unique needs of the surrogate and the intended parents to see how the available insurance plans fit your requirements. Check the possible legal expenses, medical coverage, and any extra costs that might come with the process.

Research, review, and compare

The insurance market offers a range of plans that differ in coverage levels, features, benefits, and premium amounts. It is wise to compare a few family health insurance plans to nab the best value for the required coverage on surrogacy. Ensure your chosen insurance plan offers comprehensive financial, medical, and legal coverage.

Assess the track record to scale capability of the shortlisted insurance provider for smoother and faster claims and a lower scope of rejections. Before investing in an insurance policy, look up online reviews and consult those with experience in surrogacy-related claims.

Measure Costs

It is always a good idea to ask insurance providers for a detailed quotation before buying a plan. Coverage limits and the insurance term can impact the cost of surrogate insurance. Hence, quotations can help you gauge the premium and any additional expenses you need to bear in the process.

Concluding Thoughts

Surrogacy insurance is indispensable to managing medical costs, legal and financial needs, and risks of the surrogate and the intended parents. A family health insurance plan for surrogacy should facilitate the process with its inclusive coverage. In case of any uncertainty, you can consult a legal professional or an insurance specialist to help you make an informed decision on choosing the right policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider when opting for surrogacy?

A surrogate mother can attempt surrogacy only thrice.
In case of any medical complication, under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, a surrogate has the right to terminate the pregnancy.
A private surrogacy facility is liable to apply with a non-refundable fee. Centres under the government are exempt from this fee.
Surrogacy centres or clinics should have a gynaecologist, an anaesthetist, an embryologist and a counsellor on their rolls.

What medical coverage should an Insurance Policy in India provide?

According to the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021, here are the areas of medical expenditure that an insurance policy for surrogacy should cover for the surrogate and the intended parents.

Cover the cost of any health complications.
Provide cover to treat the surrogate mother in case of illness or death.
Provide coverage for prescribed medical expenses incurred by the surrogate during the surrogacy term.

Written by Roocha Kanade

2.5K Linkedin Followers

Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya

Health Insurance content enthusiast who turns complex topics into easy, binge-worthy reads—fueled by SEO, creativity, and way too much chai! Loves juggling multiple projects, cracking impossible deadlines, and sprinkling humor into the mix. When not geeking out over digital trends, you'll find her lurking on Quora and Reddit, planning the next getaway, or passionately decoding all things health and insurance!