Financing of IVF/ET in the Nordic countries.
BACKGROUND
The need for calculations of costs of health care has increased during the last few years. When priorities within the national health services in the five Nordic countries are discussed, treatment of infertility is often one of the issues.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate cost effectiveness and calculate the proportion of publicly financed in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfers in the Nordic countries. The mean direct and indirect costs of the treatments were calculated in both public and private clinics. The total cost of in-vitro fertilization was calculated and compared with the proportion financed through the national health services in the five countries.


RESULTS
The cost analysis showed a direct and indirect cost of 3,300 Pounds per started treatment and 12,700 Pounds per term pregnancy for the whole Nordic material. The publicly financed costs were calculated at 27,342,300 Pounds, which is 66% of the total cost for in-vitro fertilization treatments. When these costs were compared with the total cost of health care in the countries, the proportion used for in-vitro fertilization treatments was between 0.08 and 0.16%.


CONCLUSIONS
It will be difficult for the national health services in the five countries to make large savings by limiting the number of treatments financed within the system.
Granberg
M
M
Sahlgrenska Hospital and Fertilitetscentrum, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Wikland
M
M
Hamberger
L
L
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000191:economics*; D005380:Financing, Government; D005382:Financing, Personal; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries