In:
American Economic Review, American Economic Association, Vol. 108, No. 12 ( 2018-12-01), p. 3725-3777
Abstract:
We study public policies designed to improve access and reduce costs for in vitro fertilization (IVF). High out-of-pocket prices can deter potential patients from IVF, while active patients have an incentive to risk costly high-order pregnancies to improve their odds of treatment success. We analyze IVF’s rich choice structure by estimating a dynamic model of patients’ choices within and across treatments. Policy simulations show that insurance mandates for treatment or hard limits on treatment aggressiveness can improve access or costs, but not both. Insurance plus price-based incentives against risky treatment, however, can together improve patient welfare and reduce medical costs. (JEL G22, I11, I13, I18, J13, J16)
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0002-8282
DOI:
10.1257/aer.20161014
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Economic Association
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
203590-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2009979-4
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