Jeonbuk Province has announced the start of a new financial support program for male infertility treatments, effective this year. The initiative aims to reduce the economic burden on couples facing male factor infertility, which previously lacked institutional support compared to female-centered treatments. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, male infertility patients are a significant subset of the total infertility population, and their numbers are rising in Jeonbuk, where 2,203 male infertility cases have been reported recently.

Historically, financial assistance for infertility treatments has primarily focused on procedures such as IVF or artificial insemination, leaving male factor evaluations and costs unsupported by government programs. As a result, men dealing with infertility issues often faced substantial out-of-pocket expenses. The new program will provide support for couples diagnosed with male infertility at designated medical institutions, enabling coverage for procedures like sperm extraction and varicocele repair up to three times, with a maximum reimbursement of 1 million won per session, covering 90% of out-of-pocket costs.

Applicants must pre-register at their local health center before treatment and can claim reimbursement after the procedures are completed. The provincial official remarked that infertility is an issue both partners should address together and expressed hope that this initiative will ease the burdens faced by male infertility households. The province is committed to expanding policies that create a more family-friendly environment conducive to childbirth and child-rearing, reflecting a broader societal obligation to tackle infertility issues together.