Is IVF Expenditures Too High in the United States
IVF is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which provides an opportunity for couples who are difficult to conceive naturally to realize their reproductive aspirations. However, with the popularity and increasing demand of IVF, its spending in the United States has gradually increased. This article will discuss whether IVF is too expensive in the United States from several aspects.
medical expense
First of all, the medical cost of IVF is one of the main factors leading to its high cost. IVF requires many medical examinations, drug treatment and surgical operations, which require a lot of medical resources and expertise. According to the actual situation, the medical expenses of most IVF babies in the United States are usually as high as tens of thousands of dollars. For example, the medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, published the related costs of IVF on its official website, including preliminary examination, drug treatment, in vitro fertilization, etc., with a total cost of more than 30000 dollars.
Secondly, the medical costs of IVF do not include the costs of hospitalization, delivery and newborn care during the expected delivery period. Once the IVF baby is successfully conceived, the couple will also need to pay additional costs related to the birth process. According to the data provided by the medical insurance plan of the Department of Veterans Affairs of the United States, the average cost of a natural birth is $2000 to $3000, while the cost of a caesarean section is more than double. In addition, newborn care and medical examination also require additional expenses.
Finally, the medical cost of IVF does not include the cost of IVF. Even if the first attempt of IVF failed, the couple still had to pay similar medical fees again to make a second attempt. This has increased the total cost of IVF to some extent, and may be a heavy financial burden for couples who have experienced long-term efforts and psychological pressure.
Psychological and emotional stress
The cost of IVF is not limited to the economic level, but also includes the psychological and emotional pressure that couples bear. All kinds of uncertainties and difficulties in IVF process may cause couples to feel depressed, anxious and helpless. A long treatment process and repeated failed attempts may have a serious impact on the psychological and emotional health of couples.
In addition, the cost of IVF will also lead to tension between couples. Due to the huge cost of IVF, couples may need to work together to save money or find other financial sources to pay for medical expenses. This long-term economic pressure may lead to conflicts and quarrels between couples, affecting their marriage relationship.
Therefore, the cost of IVF is not only an economic burden, but also may have a negative impact on the couple's psychology and emotions.
Medical insurance coverage limit
In the United States, the medical expenses of IVF are usually not fully covered by medical insurance. Most medical insurance companies regard IVF as unnecessary assisted reproductive technology, and therefore will not reimburse its expenses. This means that couples need to bear all the medical expenses of IVF by themselves.
Although some medical insurance companies may provide limited IVF insurance plans, these plans usually have many restrictions and requirements, such as age requirements, past pregnancy history, etc., which limit the eligibility of many couples to apply. For those couples who cannot get medical insurance coverage, the cost of IVF will become more expensive.
Regional differences and hospital selection
The cost of IVF is also affected by regional differences and hospital choice. There are obvious differences in the prices of medical services in different regions, and some famous high-level medical institutions in the United States may charge more. For example, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Rockefeller University Hospital in New York are well-known IVF clinics, but their medical costs are far higher than other hospitals.
In addition, couples may be affected by other factors when choosing hospitals, such as the reputation of hospitals, the professional level of doctors, etc. This may lead couples to choose high priced hospitals and doctors, further increasing the cost of IVF.
summary
To sum up, the cost of IVF in the United States is indeed too high. Due to the high medical cost, the existence of psychological and emotional pressure, the limitation of medical insurance coverage, and the influence of regional differences and hospital choice, IVF often becomes a dual economic and psychological burden. Therefore, the government and medical institutions should take some measures to reduce the cost of IVF, so that more couples can achieve their reproductive aspirations.
