Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Costs for Live Birth Four Times Higher for Women Over 40
The first detailed Australian cost-outcome study of assisted reproductive technology (ART) found that it costs, on average, almost four times as much per live birth for women aged 40 years and older than for women younger than 30.
The study analysed all non-donor ART treatments in Australia in 2002.
Conducted by Ms Georgina Chambers and Dr Elizabeth Sullivan from the School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW, and Dr Maria Therese Ho from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, the study is published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.
ART treatment cycles, maternal age and birth outcome data were obtained from the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database. Direct health care costs included government, private insurer and patient costs.
The study found that the average cost per non-donor ART live-birth event was $32,903 - ranging from $24,809 for women under 30 years of age up to $97,884 for women aged 40 and older. The cost per live birth increased to $182,794 for women aged 42 and older.
Ms Chambers says the debate regarding funding for ART services has been hindered by a lack of economic studies of ART treatments and outcomes in Australia.
"Ours is the most comprehensive costing study of ART services to date in terms of resources consumed during ART treatment. It confirms that ART treatment is less cost-effective in older women," Ms Chambers says.
"However, age is not the sole determinant of potential success of ART treatment. Factors such as ovarian reserve, successful child-bearing, duration of infertility, number of previous unsuccessful attempts at treatment, and the use of donor eggs all influence success rates.
"Broader arguments relating to community values, ethical and responsible practice and equity of access to ART should be judged alongside economic considerations to inform public policy on ART provision."
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.