New Infertility Research from Iran University of Medical Sciences Discussed (Insurance coverage policies for infertility services in health insurance: a systematic review of global practices and disparities): Reproductive Diseases and Conditions – Infertility

2024 DEC 18 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Data detailed on infertility have been presented. According to news originating from Iran University of Medical Sciences by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Infertility affects about 10% of the global population, imposing significant economic and psychosocial burdens. This systematic review examines disparities in insurance coverage for infertility services worldwide, assessing how these disparities affect access to care and fertility outcomes.”

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from Iran University of Medical Sciences: “For this systematic review, scientific databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched from the beginning of 1990 to 2022 to identify literature related to insurance coverage for infertility services by health insurance organisations worldwide. Two researchers screened titles and abstracts, extracted data from full-text articles and assessed their quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. 11 studies, primarily from high-income countries, met the inclusion criteria. Findings show a substantial increase in access to infertility services in countries with comprehensive insurance policies, such as the USA, where Medicaid coverage led to a 27% increase in first births among women over 35 years. Disparities in coverage, particularly in advanced treatments such as assisted reproductive technology and in vitro fertilisation (IVF), were notable, with limited coverage in countries such as Japan. Low-income countries generally lack sufficient insurance policies, exacerbating access disparities.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Insurance coverage policies for infertility services are associated with improved fertility outcomes, especially through increased access to infertility services. However, coverage disparities remain, emphasising the need for comprehensive policies to reduce economic barriers and support equitable access across regions.”

For more information on this research see: Insurance coverage policies for infertility services in health insurance: a systematic review of global practices and disparities. Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine, 2024,4(4). The publisher for Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine is BMJ Publishing Group.

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1136/gocm-2024-000045.

Our news journalists report that more information may be obtained by contacting Seyed Ahmad Ahmadi, Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management & Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (the Islamic Republic of). Additional authors for this research include Sajad Moeini, Ensieh Ketabchi, Mohammad Veysi Sheikhrobat, Monireh Shamsaei.

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)