Since 2004, the benefits of health insurance for artificial insemination (in vitro fertilization, IVF) is restricted to half the cost of three treatment trials. The couples have to pay since a contribution of about 1,500 to 1,800 euros per attempt. To receive the reduced benefits, they have married and between 25 and 40 (women) or 50 years (men) of age. The new regulation, the number of artificial insemination has decreased significantly, as has the number of children born with their aid. The Bundesrat has called in summer 2008, the federal government to return to full cost coverage. The federal government, however, argued that artificial insemination were non-insurance benefits. Saxony since 2009, pays subsidies to the treatments.
survey of the population, experts and couples
The Bochum research group "Justice in Modern Medicine" asked the population, groups of experts (in reproductive medicine, psychosocial counseling, medical ethicists, Sozialrechtler, health politicians) and couples concerned about this issue. Although the majority of the population and the experts and at least a third of all couples use a self-financing principle, be reasonable, but instead of 50%, they should, according to the respondents at 15 to 25% of the costs are. To fund fertility treatment as part of an increase in insurance premiums and was partially agreed to the use of taxpayers' money. "As a result, the public opinion agrees quite well with the scheme in Austria, where the cost of treatment between the pairs, the health insurance fund and IVF be divided," says Dr. Oliver Raup, head of the research group.
Moral beliefs
A savings in fertility treatment was not seen by the experts. Also, it was rejected, allowing women to finance their treatment by egg donation. However, it would welcome the majority of respondents, if the success rates of individual IVF centers would be disclosed in order to compare the quality of care. The study also examines, based on normative beliefs which support for a reimbursement of fertility treatment: It was highly correlated with the beliefs, infertility is a disease that infertile couples with fertility problems are in need of treatment and children get to one of the fundamental ways that everyone should have in his life.
Publication: Who should pay for assisted reproductive techniques? Answers from patients, professionals and the general public in Germany Raup, O. et al, Human Reproduction doi:. 10.1093/humrep/deq056 (2010)
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