Navigating health insurance selection for in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefits: A study protocol

IF 1.9 3区医学 Q3 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL

Contemporary clinical trials Pub Date : 2025-06-30 DOI:10.1016/j.cct.2025.107998

Olumayowa Dayo , Victoria Turcotte , Breanna Reyes , Ricardo E. Flores Ortega , Bonnie N. Kaiser , Gregory A. Aarons , Sara B. McMenamin , H. Irene Su , Sally A.D. Romero

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

A large public university added health insurance coverage of 50 % co-insurance for up to two cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) to eligible faculty and staff.

Methods

We describe the design and conduct of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a health insurance educational intervention on health insurance literacy and IVF benefit utilization. The intervention materials included 1) Key insurance terms; 2) Examples of premiums and deductibles across the insurance plan options; 3) Examples of how premiums and deductibles affect out-of-pocket costs; and 4) A guide to find in-network providers/facilities. The primary outcome is health insurance literacy. Secondary outcomes are IVF services and insurance benefit utilization, out-of-pocket costs, and financial hardship related to fertility care. We will integrate mixed methods data to explore whether the intervention was effective, feasible, acceptable, and appropriate.

Results

Among 394 faculty and staff screened, 217 (55 %) reproductive-aged (18 to 50 years) employees consented, completed the baseline survey and were randomized in a 2:1 fashion. Participants were female (81 %), married (63 %), and worked as a staff employee (72 %). At baseline, approximately 39 % reported an infertility diagnosis, and 28 % had undergone prior IVF treatment. Participants reported feeling slightly confident when using their health insurance plans and moderately confident being proactive when using their health insurance.

Discussion

Our goal is to improve health insurance literacy and utilization of health insurance benefits for IVF care, thereby expanding family-building options for reproductive-aged individuals.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05663645

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05663645

查看原文本刊更多论文

导航健康保险选择体外受精（IVF）的好处：一项研究方案

一所大型公立大学为符合条件的教职员工增加了多达两个试管婴儿周期的50%共同保险覆盖率。方法我们设计并实施了一项随机对照试验，以评估健康保险教育干预对健康保险素养和试管婴儿福利利用的有效性。干预材料包括：1)关键保险条款；2)各保险方案的保费和免赔额示例；3)保费和免赔额如何影响自付费用的例子；4)寻找网络内供应商/设施的指南。主要成果是医疗保险知识普及。次要结果是IVF服务和保险福利的使用，自付费用和与生育护理相关的经济困难。我们将整合混合方法的数据来探讨干预是否有效、可行、可接受和适当。结果在394名被筛选的教职员工中，217名（55%）育龄员工（18至50岁）同意并完成了基线调查，并以2:1的方式随机分配。参与者为女性（81%）、已婚（63%）和在职员工（72%）。在基线时，大约39%的人报告了不孕症诊断，28%的人接受过体外受精治疗。参与者报告说，在使用他们的健康保险计划时感到有点自信，在使用他们的健康保险时感到适度自信。我们的目标是提高健康保险的知识水平和体外受精护理中健康保险福利的利用，从而扩大育龄个体的家庭建设选择。试验注册：Clinicaltrials.gov标识符：NCT05663645https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05663645

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来源期刊

Contemporary clinical trials 医学-药学

CiteScore

3.70

自引率

4.50%

发文量

281

审稿时长

44 days

期刊介绍： Contemporary Clinical Trials is an international peer reviewed journal that publishes manuscripts pertaining to all aspects of clinical trials, including, but not limited to, design, conduct, analysis, regulation and ethics. Manuscripts submitted should appeal to a readership drawn from disciplines including medicine, biostatistics, epidemiology, computer science, management science, behavioural science, pharmaceutical science, and bioethics. Full-length papers and short communications not exceeding 1,500 words, as well as systemic reviews of clinical trials and methodologies will be published. Perspectives/commentaries on current issues and the impact of clinical trials on the practice of medicine and health policy are also welcome.