Health Care Access, Costs, and Treatment Dynamics: Evidence from In Vitro Fertilization.
Am Econ Rev
; 108(12): 3725-77, 2018 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30497124
ABSTRACT
We study public policies designed to improve access and reduce costs for in vitro fertilization (IVF). High out-of-pocket prices can deter potential patients from IVF, while active patients have an incentive to risk costly high-order pregnancies to improve their odds of treatment success. We analyze IVF's rich choice structure by estimating a dynamic model of patients' choices within and across treatments. Policy simulations show that insurance mandates for treatment or hard limits on treatment aggressiveness can improve access or costs, but not both. Insurance plus price-based incentives against risky treatment, however, can together improve patient welfare and reduce medical costs.
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Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Fertilization in Vitro
/
Insurance Coverage
/
Health Services Accessibility
/
Insurance Benefits
Type of study:
Health_economic_evaluation
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Year:
2018
Type:
Article