In Vitro Fertilization and Costs

Posted by admin On January 22, 2009 7:58 PM

I recently came across an interesting article, The Cost of Successful Delivery with in Vitro Fertilization, and I
can?t believe how expensive it is.

IVF

I am aware of IVF Click Here! procedures, but I didn?t realize how expensive it was.

Of course, most health insurance companies do not cover it, and it?s a real pity that they won?t even partially reimburse the couples.

According to Dr. Greenfield, cost of In Vitro fertilization ?On Average, each cycle of treatment can cost $4,000 to $10,000. And many
couples take more than one cycle to get pregnant (Greenfild, M.D.)?

Since it is such an expensive procedure only about ?5% of couples with infertility seek it out. However, ? IVF and other similar
techniques have resulted in more than 200,000 babies (Mathis).?

Prices will differ depending on the states you live, amount of medications you might need, the number of IVF cycles you need, and the
?amount your insurance company will pay toward the procedure (Mathis).?

Mathis also suggested, ?&thoroughly investigate your insurance company?s coverage of IVF and ask for a written statement of your
benefits. Although some states have enacted laws requiring insurance companies to cover at least some of the costs of infertility
treatment, many states haven?t.?

Read about this study and you?ll be amazed, and also grateful for your kids (how blessed you are to experience motherhood)!

The below contents are taken from Direct Excer from the journal:

ABSTRACT

Background The use of in vitro fertilization has engendered considerable debate about who should have the procedure, whether
health insurance should cover the cost, and if so, to what extent. We investigated the cost of a successful delivery with in vitro
fertilization.

Methods We calculated the cost per successful delivery with in vitro fertilization (defined as at least one live birth) for a general
population of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and for two subgroups: couples with a diagnosis of tubal disease (who have a
better chance of success), and couples in which the woman is over the age of 40 years and the man has a low sperm count (who
have a lower chance of success). Information on charges per cycle of in vitro fertilization was obtained from six facilities across the
country; delivery rates with this procedure were estimated from the literature.

Results On average, the cost incurred per successful delivery with in vitro fertilization increases from $66,667 for the first cycle of in
vitro fertilization to $114,286 by the sixth cycle. The cost increases because with each cycle in which fertilization fails, the probability
that a subsequent effort will be successful declines. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the cost per delivery ranges from $44,000 to
$211,940. For couples with a better chance of successful in vitro fertilization (i.e., those with a diagnosis of tubal disease), it costs
$50,000 per delivery for the first cycle and $72,727 for the sixth. For couples in which the woman is older and there is a diagnosis of
male-factor infertility, the cost rises from $160,000 for the first cycle to $800,000 for the sixth.

Conclusions The debate about insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization must take into account ethical judgments and social
values. But analyses of costs and cost effectiveness help elucidate the economic implications of using in vitro fertilization and thus
inform the policy discussion.

Interesting, huh? I just can?t believe it!! Tomorrow I am going to cover the cost of adoptions, and pros/cons of it as well.

Greenfield, M., M.D. The Cost of In Vitro Fertilization. Drspock.com Retrieved from
http://www.drspock.com/faq/0,1511,10434,00.html (1/22/09).

Mathis, C. A Couple Guide: Trying to Conceive. Retrieved from

http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/in_vitro_fertilization (1/22/09).

Neumann, P.J., Gharib, S.D., and Weinstein, M.C. The Cost a Successful Delivery with in Vitro Fertilization. The NEW ENGLAND
JOURNAL of MEDICINE. Vol 331:239-243 July 28, 1994 Number 4.

http://www.justestuff.com/in-vitro-fertilization-and-costs/