The recent publication of “Pregnancy and birth rates higher than global benchmarks for medical scheme members funding infertility treatment through the DHMS ‘Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit'” by Discovery Health Medical Scheme offers valuable insights, particularly for Vitalab patients. Given that a substantial number of our valued patients are also members of Discovery Health, these impressive figures closely mirror the success rates and live birth outcomes we celebrate right here at Vitalab. As a SASREG (South African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy) accredited facility, we consistently strive for excellence in your care, and these shared statistics underscore our commitment to successful outcomes.
Decoding ART Success Rates: Age and Donor Eggs
While Discovery’s statistics highlight commendable ART success rates, particularly for those over 42, it’s crucial to understand the finer details behind these numbers. These higher success rates in older age groups predominantly include cycles where donor eggs are utilized.
It’s vital for you to understand that waiting until you are 42, thinking the statistics are better, may lead to disappointment. The truth is, these elevated success rates are often attributed to the use of donor eggs, which can significantly improve outcomes for women whose own egg quality has naturally declined with age. To increase your chances of conceiving with your own eggs, we strongly advise women above the age of 35 to seek fertility assessment and guidance within six months of trying to conceive naturally. Early intervention can make a profound difference in your journey to parenthood.
South African ART Success: Outperforming Global Benchmarks
South African Assisted Reproductive Therapy success rates are setting a high bar. The data from Discovery Health Medical Scheme reveals that our local pregnancy and birth rates for ART patients significantly surpass those reported by leading international and regional registries. For instance, in 2021, 70% of Discovery members undergoing ART fell pregnant, with 50% giving birth. In 2022, these figures remained strong at 64% for pregnancies and 46% for births. These outcomes notably exceed the success rates published by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) in the US and the African Network and Registry for ART (ANARA). This achievement speaks volumes about the quality of care and advanced treatments available within South Africa, including those offered at Vitalab.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme: Fertility Treatment Coverage
For those who may not be aware, Discovery Health Medical Scheme does offer coverage for fertility treatment under their Comprehensive and Executive Medical Aid plans. This coverage can provide invaluable support for individuals and couples pursuing ART.
It’s important to note that this Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit is not automatically activated. It needs to be successfully activated. If you are a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member on a Comprehensive or Executive plan and are unsure about your fertility benefits, we highly recommend speaking directly with your Discovery consultant. They can guide you through the activation process and clarify your specific coverage details.
Discovery’s ART Benefit at a Glance:
Discovery Health Medical Scheme provides cover for ART cycles with specific age considerations:
- Ages 25 to 39: Discovery covers up to two cycles of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) per year, including egg-donated cycles.
- Ages 40 to 42: Discovery covers one cycle of ART per year, including egg-donated cycles.
- Ages 43 to 50: Discovery covers one egg-donated IVF cycle per year, which includes the egg donor matching fee.
The Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s ART benefit, introduced in 2021, covers various aspects of treatment including consultations, medication, specific pathology tests, ultrasound scans, oocyte (egg) retrieval, embryo transfer and freezing, admission costs (including laboratory fees), and embryo and sperm storage related to approved ART procedures. Sperm and egg freezing for members registered on the Oncology Programme is also covered.
We are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions about your fertility journey or how your medical aid benefits apply, please don’t hesitate to contact Vitalab.
For more information, you can refer to the full Discovery Health Medical Scheme article: Health Insights: Assisted Reproductive Therapy