In search of real autonomy for fertility patients

Health Econ Policy Law. 2015 Jul;10(3):243-50. doi: 10.1017/S1744133114000164. Epub 2014 Jun 9.

Abstract

Nearly one in eight infants in the United States is born preterm. A variety of factors are associated with preterm birth, including multiplicity. In the United States fertility treatments are currently associated with high rates of multiplicity, but these rates could be reduced significantly if changes can be made to fertility treatment policy and practice. These include reducing the financial pressure on patients to prioritize pregnancy chances over safety by expanding insurance coverage and altering the way we calculate success rates and insurance benefits so that two consecutive single embryo transfers is equivalent to one double embryo transfer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insurance Coverage / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Insurance, Health / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Multiple Birth Offspring
  • Ovulation Induction / economics
  • Ovulation Induction / methods
  • Personal Autonomy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth / economics
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / economics*
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Single Embryo Transfer / economics
  • United States