New policy fuels rise in fertility treatments

Unable to conceive naturally, Wang, a resident of Changchun in Northeast China's Jilin province, could not opt for fertility treatment due to the hefty cost — sometimes more than 20,000 yuan ($2,786) per cycle. So when she learned that assisted reproductive services had been included in the province's medical insurance program, she hesitated no more.

Wang was reimbursed 10,263 yuan for her treatment session through medical insurance, which was nearly 70 percent of the cost incurred.

Since Jilin province introduced the reimbursement policy in July last year, nearly 5,800 women have benefited, saving over 23 million yuan in total, according to the provincial healthcare security bureau.