Forty years ago, the world's first baby born as a result of in vitro fertilization (IVF) came into the world. Today, some 8 million babies have been born thanks to the procedure, yet IVF insurance coverage remains a controversial issue. Most Americans don't have coverage for this fertility treatment — and costs can range from $15,000 to $20,000 for just one IVF cycle.
There's no doubt that lack of IVF insurance coverage influences patients' decision-making processes when it comes to infertility treatments. Some couples may choose to forgo IVF altogether due to the expense, whereas others may limit the number of cycles based on what they can afford.
This approach may seem to affect nothing but patients' wallets, but limiting IVF cycles can potentially be harmful. With the odds of a successful pregnancy at only about 29 percent for one IVF cycle, some women may ask their clinicians to implant more embryos. Multiple births are more likely to result in premature birth, low birth weights and other health concerns.
Insurance Insights: Is IVF Covered by Insurance?
According to one 2017 survey, only 26 percent of U.S. companies with more than 500 employees offer IVF insurance coverage. That same survey found that coverage for IVF has only slightly increased, from 23 percent in 2012 to 26 percent in 2017.
Why isn't IVF more widely covered? For years, there was a perception that infertility wasn't an actual health problem, and that pricey procedures such as IVF were a luxury, not a necessity. But that perspective is slowly changing. In 2017, the American Medical Association joined the World Health Organization and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in recognizing infertility as a disease, which can lead to problems such as depression, shame, guilt, feelings of inadequacy and social isolation.
IVF Insurance Coverage Changes on the Way
That change could be a boon for the estimated 12 to 15 percent of couples who experience infertility during their first year of trying. Improving IVF insurance coverage could help ease financial concerns for patients who want to start or add to their families.
In turn, that could help decrease the likelihood of multiple births and medical complications for both mother and infant, ultimately saving costs — and, potentially, lives — in the long term. Clinicians should stay up to date on the latest information about infertility treatments and IVF insurance coverage to help guide patients to the best and safest choice for them.
