Recent state legislative rulings have thrust the topic of in vitro fertilization (IVF) into the national conversation, simultaneously highlighting both the need for assisted reproductive technology (ART) services and the difficulties patients experience trying to access them. Fertility care is no exception to the all-too-frustrating paradox of high demand and low supply, with patients facing major barriers to access despite the industry representing a significant market opportunity.
像这样, healthcare leaders must consider their strategy related to fertility care services and improving access. It is clear that couples and individuals need—and want—to invest in their family-building goals, and all healthcare leaders can positively impact patient access in this space, 无论是通过提供直接的病人护理, 与其他组织合作提供护理, or simply offering fertility treatment and preservation coverage to employees. By adapting to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve, organizations will earn a competitive advantage while positively contributing to population health.
在由三部分组成的博客系列中, our women’s health service line experts will provide you with essential information to consider as you develop your organization’s plan for fertility care, 包括对不断增长的云顶集团需求的概述, 行业趋势和增长潜力, 以及提供以患者为中心的生育护理的关键组成部分. 在第一部分中, we take a deeper look at both the trends driving the rise in demand and the access issues underscored by this uptick.
对生育护理云顶集团的需求持续上升
The US fertility care space has grown significantly over the past decade. 如图1所示, the number of infants born in the US who were conceived through ART 增加 by almost 50% from 2012 to 2021. And with the US market for fertility services projected to reach approximately $16.80亿年 到2029年,还看不到结束的迹象.
图1: Number of Infants Born in the US Who Were Conceived through ART, 2012–2021
这一增长背后有多种因素.
- Individuals are electing to have children later in life, which is correlated with 生育问题的发生率更高. 世界卫生组织去年发表的一份报告发现 六分之一的成年人 全世界都受到不孕不育的影响, 与之前报道的八分之一相比有所增加.
- 生育保护, 保存:保存或保护卵子的过程, 精子, 胚胎, 或者生殖组织以备将来使用, 已经变得越来越普遍. 美国的卵子冷冻周期 增加 从2018年到2019年减少约22%,从2020年到2021年减少约31%, 随着时间的推移,需求逐年上升, 大流行前后.
- Awareness of and knowledge about ART has risen in numerous patient populations, and the following groups are increasingly turning to these services for their family-building needs:
- 异性夫妇
- ”+夫妇
- 寻求单亲和/或代孕的个人
- 选择保留生育能力的个体(如.g.(卵子冷冻、精子冷冻、胚胎冷冻)
- Individuals with certain medical conditions looking to preserve their fertility ahead of treatments (e.g.(必须接受化疗的癌症患者)
- Couples with known genetic conditions who utilize IVF and genetic testing to avoid passing these conditions to their children
In recognition of the wide array of people seeking fertility services, 美国生殖医学协会 更新了其定义 2023年的不孕症将更具包容性. This may open the door for insurers to widen their eligibility for fertility treatment coverage (e.g., +同性恋群体的病人, 追求单亲家庭的个体), 这将, 反过来, 扩大寻求云顶集团的人数.
获得机会仍然有限,突出了卫生不公平现象
尽管对生育护理云顶集团的需求有所增加, 由于种种原因,进入仍然非常困难, 如下所述. It is imperative to note the clear racial disparities inherent in many of these hurdles, a fact that continues to highlight the inequities embedded deep within the US healthcare system. Lowering barriers to care should be an essential element of your organization’s fertility care strategy in order to both meet demand and address inequities.
- 缺乏保险范围: While some large employers in the US have expanded their healthcare coverage to include fertility treatment, 大多数人都没有. 甚至在提供保险的情况下, 它通常伴随着不孕症的诊断, 因此,许多寻求云顶集团的患者群体被排除在外.g., members of the LGBTQ+ community, patients pursuing single parenthood or fertility preservation). 根据RESOLVE:国家不孕症协会, 不到一半 of US states have passed any sort of infertility insurance coverage laws, most of which still restrict patients via caps on spending or the number of allowed treatment rounds per year
- 护理费用: 因为没有足够的保险, 大多数寻求抗逆转录病毒治疗的患者必须作为自费患者承担费用. Even with coverage, patients must pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for recommended procedures. 一轮试管婴儿 成本 between $15,000 and $30,000, and many patients undergo multiple rounds during treatment.
- 等待时间长: Many fertility clinics have lengthy wait times to see a reproductive endocrinology specialist. Highly regarded physicians can have months-long waitlists just for a consult, after which patients must wait again before they are able to begin treatment.
- 保健沙漠: Geographic proximity to a fertility clinic or IVF center can also hinder patients from seeking care. Fertility treatment is highly specialized and concentrated in urban and suburban markets, creating 生育护理沙漠 在农村地区. 据报道,黑人和西班牙裔女性也在旅行 两倍远 寻求治疗的白人和亚裔女性.
- 社会政治因素与立法限制: State-by-state laws vary greatly when it comes to ART and women’s health services overall, 导致两种截然不同但同样有害的后果. 首先是那些州的病人 更严格的法律 关于胚胎的使用, 临床治疗方案, and medications may feel discouraged to seek care or are prohibited from accessing care entirely. 其次,这些州的医疗云顶集团提供者可能会选择这样做 限制或完全停止云顶集团 由于法律风险和缺乏明确一致的立法.
- 缺乏信息和治疗耻辱: Patients may wait to seek help for their fertility-related concerns for a variety of reasons, 包括对其生殖健康的有限了解, 对不孕症的社会耻辱感, and the invasive and burdensome nature of certain fertility treatments.
现在是投资生育保健的时候了
近年来, some health systems have had to make the difficult decision to close or reduce their women’s health services, 进一步加剧了获取机会和卫生公平问题. 那些仍然开放的银行已经这样做了 策略性评估机会 在整个护理连续体中建立规模和专业知识.
当前的生育护理状况, which includes a high demand for services and a more inclusive definition of infertility, 为云顶集团40011官网提供了投资抗逆转录病毒治疗的独特机会, 这将 allow them to not only diversify their service portfolio but also improve the health of the communities they serve.
关于心电图的妇女健康云顶集团
心电图 can help your health system build its strategy for women’s health offerings and think about the whole spectrum of care, 从年度健康女性考试中, 生殖保健, 更年期药物.
了解更多关于心电图的女性健康云顶集团.
编辑:Emily Johnson
出版于2024年4月4日