The American View On The Cost Of IVF
The American View On The Cost Of IVF
Putting side by side the cost of IVF in various countries around the world illustrates that the average cost of IVF in USA is actually noticeable compared with the rest of the countries. What is the reason for this? In this article I will put in the picture the debate that is going on in the USA that conducts to these high costs of IVF.
The dispute that influences the cost of IVF in the USA
Doing everything in order to get a child, is a lifestyle preference or a medical issue? Is it a question of need or want? This is the dispute that determines now the cost of IVF in the USA.
In other countries around the world, this is seen as a medical matter and for that reason health insurance companies in these countries cover the cost of IVF entirely or to some extent.
The current opinion of the American health insurance companies on this subject is generally different. Health insurances do not think that "wanting a baby" is a medical matter and consequently they do not cover the cost of IVF.
Physician Silber of the St Luke Hospital makes available the following data that doubt if infertility is a medical matter.
Age
Chance on infertility in %
Teenager
Less than 1%
Early 20's
1% to 2%
Late 20's
16%
Mid to Late 30's
25%
40
More than 50%
As from age 43
Pregnancy is really uncommon
Doctor Silber states that in 80% of the situations the grounds of infertility is aging and not a medical question. This declaration defends the standpoint of the insurance companies in the USA.
Doctor Silber also brings up in his book "How to get Pregnant" that the cost of IVF must not be the only reason for a patient to make a decision. He moreover affirms that the medical field of infertility is not an ordinary industry where you go for "good deal shopping" as we discuss about a new life.
But does this means that people should lose everything in order to pay the IVF costs? There are couples that put up for sale their own houses or max out every card and have to file for liquidation.
Fertility Partnership's founding associate, Elan Simckes, opposes the fact that a lower cost of IVF signifies lower quality. He in fact declares that this argument is bringing into play by clinics to validate the higher cost of IVF. The clinics take advantage of the emotional state of a couple that is prepared to do everything to get pregnant. As stated by Mr. Simckers it is more about simple economics. The moment more clinics will open their doors, the cost of IVF will drop. It is just a matter of supply and demand. This occurred in other medical fields also. Think for instance about laser treatments for your eyes.
At present there is a limit on the people that are permitted to make available the service and open a clinic; this has a damaging impact on the competition.
According to David Adamson, ex-president of the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology, the waiting lists to visit a clinic is not long, which implies that at this time the supply is higher than the demand.
But investigation, done by the National Institutes of Health, illustrates something else. They see an increasing amount of medical tourism in general and in addition a rise in American couples going abroad for an infertility cure. The total amount in USD of medical tourism in 2010 was more than 40 billion USD.
The couples that experience infertility issues claim that the price should drop and coverage of the cost of IVF by health insurance companies should also apply. A general reason used by these couples is that avoiding birth from taking place is covered by insurance companies but to become pregnant is not.
As we can notice this dispute prevents the cost of IVF to drop off in the USA. Basically when health insurance companies on a wide scale will cover the cost of IVF, it will become more reasonable for a typical American couple to conceive. This can be accomplished either by the public protesting and demanding coverage or enforced by law via the federal government or state. On the other side more rivalry should be permitted with the purpose of lowering the cost of IVF. If this will not occur, the cost of IVF remains high and medical conceiving will be a luxury thing. Bhutan and Ladakh Bike Trips European Destinations: Luxembourg Why Not Travel To Switzerland Getting Cheap Theatre Tickets in London World Travel Awards 2011Nominees for regional Categories unveiled during ITB Berlin Tips For Staying Fit While Traveling Queensland tourism operators offer the holiday of a lifetime Why Should You Opt For A Beach Rental? Pros And Cons Of Cheap Travel Deals How To Choose The Best Beach Resort Rubbish Clearance London Learn More About Life In Nepal With Nepal Cultural tours Taylor Swift Tour Dates 2011-Taylors Gift