The Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa is taking their fight to court in the hopes of ending financial exclusion by medical aid providers towards families seeking fertility treatment.
South Africa (03 November 2020) – Yesterday was World Fertility Day and to celebrate it, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa (IFAASA) launched a campaign to help South African women and their families with access to infertility treatment.
The IFAASA was founded not only to raise awareness of infertility but also to tackle the absence of infertility cover by medical aid schemes.
Last month, IFAASA celebrated a small yet significant win when, in conjunction with the Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG), they received the news that the country’s biggest medical aid scheme would step up and cover infertility treatment.
IFAASA Founding Member and CEO, Saskia Williams elaborates on why the news not only fell flat, but also incited further outcry and rage amongst members;
“Since its inception, IFAASA has been battling with South Africa’s open medical aids. We are fighting for fair treatment of a Prescribed Minimum Benefit Disease (PMB), with infertility currently the only PMB (out of 270) on the exclusion list of most medical aids. October saw solid progress with one of the country’s leading medical aid companies confirming that should you be on either of their top two plans, they’ll cover up to two cycles of Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) including In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI), Embryo Transfer (FET) and Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) starting in 2021. However, whilst appreciated by the tiny minority on such plans, the decision has resulted in thousands of furious clients who will not be covered. As a call to action, IFAASA has compiled an expert legal team to present the solid case of the exclusion overhaul, however, we’re calling on the public to help raise the legal funds required through backabuddy.co.za.”
IFAASA plan to challenge the ruling to be more inclusive, enabling people on all tiers of medical aid with the specific provider, to access the benefit. They are hoping people who were outraged with the exclusion, will help them cover the legal fees to challenge it.
Please note: If the target is not reached, donators will be refunded, subject to BackaBuddy’s t’s & c’s. If the target is reached, the money will be used for all fees relating to the case ie: legal and administrative costs.
Dr Antonio Rodrigues, a fertility specialist who has helped guide families through their treatment for the last 30 years, has taken the first step in support of this action, donating R20,000 to the cause.
If you would like to support their cause, you can do so via BackaBuddy here.