PD52-09 OUT OF POCKET COSTS OF MALE INFERTILITY CARE AND ASSOCIATED FINANCIAL STRAIN

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Evaluation1 Apr 2015PD52-09 OUT OF POCKET COSTS OF MALE INFERTILITY CARE AND ASSOCIATED FINANCIAL STRAIN Peter Elliott, Matthew Abad-Santos, Patti Katz, and James Smith Peter ElliottPeter Elliott More articles by this author , Matthew Abad-SantosMatthew Abad-Santos More articles by this author , Patti KatzPatti Katz More articles by this author , and James SmithJames Smith More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.02.1783AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples, with a male factor responsible in 20% and contributing in 30-40% of couples. Often with little insurance to mitigate costs, pursuing such care is known to be expensive, yet is currently uncharacterized in men. Our aim is to determine the out of pocket expenses, measures taken to finance these costs, and associated financial strain for men seeking fertility care. METHODS In this retrospective cohort, patients completed questionnaires recording the total amount of money spent on infertility care, and on what aspect of their care the money was spent. Participants also recorded measures taken to finance these costs, the amount of financial strain they experienced and how this strain impacted their decisions to seek and continue care. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess relationship between fertility characteristics, financial costs and financial strain. RESULTS 111 participants completed full surveys. Over the course of their care, 16% of patients spent over $50,000 dollars. 16% spent between $30,000 and $49,999. 32% spent between $15,000 and $29,999. 37% of subjects spent less than $15,000 dollars. Procedures comprised the largest component of costs. 47% of subjects reported financial strain. Patients with no infertility insurance coverage had significantly higher costs (p=0.03). IVF/ICSI was associated with the highest costs of any treatment modality (p<0.01). After multivariable analysis, patients who used savings and went into debt were significantly more likely to experience financial strain (p=0.03 and p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our study elucidates the previously uncharacterized economic hardships of male infertility care. Overall, 64% of men who pursued fertility treatment had out of pocket expenses exceeding $15,000 dollars. Nearly half reported financial strain and limitation of treatment options due to these expenses. This data gives men and their partners a realistic expectation of the cost of pursuing fertility treatment, the extreme measures many patients take to finance their care and the financial strain associated with such options. © 2015 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 193Issue 4SApril 2015Page: e1116 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2015 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Peter Elliott More articles by this author Matthew Abad-Santos More articles by this author Patti Katz More articles by this author James Smith More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...