"The nurse is able to guide and support the patient regarding following the recommendations and accessing any further treatment."
So, while infertility treatment is currently excluded from most insurance policies, there are other ways advisers can help support their clients, such as exploring the client's workplace benefits package, assessing what support services are offered as part of any existing or potential insurance policy, and signposting to counselling or similar treatments.
But as Dr John Burke from Axa Health says, advisers can also: "Review the availability of infertility treatment benefits in the health insurance market. Private infertility treatment services can also be paid for directly."
Of course, meeting these costs will need some bespoke financial planning if the couple or the individual has not been able to make sufficient savings already.
The good news is many costs can be offset by advisers helping clients to think outside the box and see what services the NHS can provide – such as blood tests.
Also, as the client will not have to pay the full whack up-front and costs will be drip-fed over a few weeks, it is worth ensuring a good budget has been put in place to help with the cash flow, perhaps even creating a robust cash savings pot that can be accessed easily.
As LifeSearch's chief marketing officer, Emma Walker, concludes: "Overall, there is still much for a consumer to navigate and understand when it comes to protection and what is right for their own needs and circumstances, so it reiterates the importance and value of professional advice.”
simoney.kyriakou@ft.com
