New research indicates that state-mandated insurance for in vitro fertilization (IVF) reduces the rate of multiple births in women younger than 35 who receive day 5 embryo transfers.
A retrospective study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) 71st Annual Meeting examined 173,968 first-time in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles that took place from 2007 to 2011. From this group, 26 percent of the women came from six states with mandated IVF insurance (including Maryland and New Jersey), and 74 percent came from 34 states without mandated insurance.
Findings showed that the rate of multiple births was significantly lower in states with insurance than those without. And for those women, the rate of elective single embryo transfer (eSET) was higher in states with mandatory insurance.
Shady Grove Fertility has found that the difference in pregnancy rates for one embryo (eSET) vs. two embryos (2BET) transferred is statistically insignificant. We are proud to acknowledge that the rate of patients selecting eSET in our practice is three times higher than the national rate, ultimately lowering risks to patients without compromising success. With this information, patients can feel more confident in their decision to choose eSET knowing they are not increasing their chances of a high-risk multiple pregnancy.
Limitations of State-Mandated Insurance for IVF
States that offer mandated insurance coverage for infertility treatment often place limitations on who is able to access coverage. These limitations may range from diagnosis requirements, length of time trying to conceive, the use of third-party reproduction, and financial caps. With the strict controls associated with mandated coverage, many patients are still unable to access the fertility care they may need. This situation causes greater reluctance from patients to do an eSET potentially because they feel more pressure to play the odds that more embryos transferred will equate to greater likelihood of success.
In Maryland, the mandate does request at least a 2-year history of involuntary infertility; however, patients experiencing endometriosis, blocked or removed Fallopian tubes, abnormal male factors, or fetal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) may seek treatment earlier.
Shady Grove Fertility’s Exclusive Shared Risk 100% Refund Program
At Shady Grove Fertility, we are innovators in making fertility treatment more affordable and accessible. We created our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program to help couples who do not have insurance coverage receive fertility treatment without sacrificing high-quality medical care. If you participate in the Shared Risk 100% Refund Program, you can pursue IVF knowing we will issue a full refund if you don’t bring home a baby (some exclusions apply).
Patients selecting this program may attempt up to 6 IVF or donor egg cycles and any subsequent frozen embryo transfers (FETs) for a flat amount. In the event the attempts are unsuccessful, or the patient chooses to withdraw at any time, 100% of the deposit is refunded (some exclusions apply).
With 8,000 new families and counting, this program continues to grow and provides men and women with a financial safety net when considering fertility treatment. Today, about 82 percent of our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program participants will go on to have a family.
If you have questions regarding multiple births or would like to schedule an appointment, please call our New Patient Center 877-971-7755 or click to schedule an appointment.
