Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute Reports Findings in Assisted Reproductive Technology (Comparative analysis of infertility healthcare utilization before and after insurance coverage of assisted reproductive technology: A …): Technology – Assisted Reproductive Technology

2023 DEC 11 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- New research on Technology - Assisted Reproductive Technology is the subject of a report. According to news originating from Seoul, South Korea, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “This study aims to analyze the types and cost of infertility care provided in a clinical setting to examine the changes of healthcare utilization for infertility after the 2017 launch of assisted reproductive technology (ART) health insurance coverage in South Korea. Health Insurance Review Assessment-National Patient Sample data from 2016 and 2018 were analyzed comparatively.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, “Data related to receiving medical service under the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision code N97 (female infertility) or N46 (male infertility) at least once were analyzed, including patients’ characteristics and healthcare utilization (type of healthcare facility and treatment approach). Between 2016 and 2018, the percentage of patients aged 30-34 receiving infertility care dropped; the percentages of patients in older age groups increased. The number of female patients remained comparable, whereas the number of male patients increased by 23%. Average visits per patient increased by about 1 day from 2016 to 2018. Total annual infertility care claim cost increased from $665,391.05 to $3,214,219.48; the per-patient annual cost increased from $114.76 to $522.38. The number of claims and cost of treatment and surgery increased markedly, as did the number of claims and cost of gonadotropins.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “With its focus on health insurance coverage of ART and results demonstrating increases in medical services, medications, cost, and patient utilization, this study reveals the significant effects of national health policies on the treatment, cost, and management of infertility.”

For more information on this research see: Comparative analysis of infertility healthcare utilization before and after insurance coverage of assisted reproductive technology: A cross-sectional study using National Patient Sample data. PLOS ONE, 2023;18(11). PLOS ONE can be contacted at: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. (Public Library of Science - www.plos.org; PLOS ONE - www.plosone.org)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Yu-Cheol Lim, Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, South Korea. Additional authors for this research include Han-Sol Lee, Dong-Il Kim, Kyoung-Sun Park, Yoon Jae Lee, In-Hyuk Ha and Ye-Seul Lee.

The publisher’s contact information for the journal PLOS ONE is: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA.

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