The cost of IVF and related policies
In vitro fertilization (IVF), an in vitro fertilization (IVF) in assisted reproductive technology, has become one of the important ways for infertile patients to realize their reproductive dreams. However, the cost of IVF and related policies are also topics of great concern. This article will elaborate on the cost and related policies of IVF from the aspects of cost composition, relevant policies and measures, medical insurance and social support.
Cost composition
The cost of IVF consists of many aspects. The first is the basic fees of medical institutions, including gynecological and obstetric examination fees, hormone treatment fees, in vitro fertilization operation fees, etc. The second is drug costs. IVF needs to use a series of hormone drugs for treatment, and these drug costs are also a part that cannot be ignored. At the same time, there are other related expenses such as auxiliary examination expenses, hospitalization expenses, surgery expenses, etc. The specific composition of expenses may vary according to different situations and hospitals.
The uncertainty of cost composition is a major feature of IVF costs. Due to the different conditions of each patient, the examination, treatment and drug dosage that may be required may also be different, resulting in variable costs. Therefore, before IVF treatment, patients should consult their doctors about the specific composition of the cost in order to make economic preparations.
Relevant policies and measures
In order to solve the cost problem of IVF, many countries and regions have formulated relevant policies and measures. Taking China as an example, in 2019, the Health Commission issued the Technical Guidelines for Clinical Application of IVF, which defined the technical operation process of IVF, standardized relevant medical behaviors, and also proposed cost related management requirements.
China's relevant policies require that medical institutions should publicize the relevant charging standards for IVF and follow the principle of "diagnosis first, payment later", that is, charging after the diagnosis and treatment plan are clear, so as to avoid blind treatment of patients due to cost problems. In addition, the policy also requires that medical institutions should not increase the cost of drugs and examinations at will during IVF treatment, and that doctors and patients must jointly decide on the treatment plan and the increase or decrease of the cost.
In addition to policy constraints, in some areas, IVF fees can be subsidized. For example, some cities in China have set up IVF birth subsidy funds to provide a certain amount of cost subsidies to eligible patients, reducing the economic burden of patients.
medical insurance
For IVF, medical insurance coverage is also an important issue. The coverage and conditions of medical insurance vary from country to country and region to region. In China, the coverage of medical insurance is not wide enough at present. Many basic medical insurance does not include the cost of IVF, which requires patients to pay their own expenses.
However, with the increasing demand for IVF, relevant insurance companies have also launched special insurance for IVF. These insurance products can provide patients with the protection of IVF treatment costs, drug costs and a certain degree of complications treatment costs, providing a certain amount of economic support.
social support
IVF is not only a personal problem for patients, but also a challenge for the whole society. Therefore, social support is very important for alleviating the cost of IVF. On the one hand, the society can provide economic support for patients by setting up IVF funds, carrying out public welfare activities and other forms. On the other hand, the society can improve people's understanding and awareness of IVF and reduce discrimination and non support against IVF families by strengthening publicity and education.
To sum up, the cost of IVF and related policies have always been concerned. The composition of costs includes the basic charges of medical institutions, drug costs, etc. The uncertainty of costs requires patients to consult doctors in advance to understand the specific situation. Relevant policies and measures include publicizing charging standards, following the principle of post diagnosis payment, etc. Some regions also provide fee subsidies. The coverage of medical insurance still needs to be improved, but insurance companies have launched special insurance for IVF babies. Social support has also played a positive role in solving the cost problem of IVF.
