Is Socioeconomic Status Associated With Higher Infertility Costs?

Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PST

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA (UroToday.com) - This study was designed to assess the utilization of reproductive services by individuals of different socioeconomic and educational groups. A prospective cohort of 369 couples followed for 18 months. The infertility cohort was assembled from 8 community and academic reproductive endocrinology clinics and followed for 18 months.

Interviews were conducted at enrollment, and at 4, 10, and 18 months. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the relationship between socioeconomic status and total cost of infertility care by assigning standard costs to medication, procedures etc. Fertility outcomes and key demographic and medical data were determined through interviews and medical record abstraction.

The mean cost of infertility care was $14,500. Couples with an annual household income exceeding $100,000 had a total cost of $4,700 more than couples with an income of less than $100,000. Couples with at least a college degree had similar increased costs as compared to those without a college education. Infertility costs were $5,900 more for high earning couples with a college degree relative to low earning couples with a college degree Thus, Couples with at least a college education or a larger household income had higher infertility costs.

Editorial Comments:

This study codifies what most would expect. The access to treatment and the utilization is affected by education and resources. The types of treatments employed are also affected by financial and time considerations. This is a powerful study with societal implications. The same study should be performed in states with mandated infertility services and IVF services.

Presented by J. F. Smith, D. Glidden, and T. J. Walsh, et al. at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine - November 8 - 12, 2008 - San Francisco, California

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Harris M. Nagler, MD

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