Health Care Access, Costs, and Treatment Dynamics: Evidence from In Vitro Fertilization

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2018
Volume: 108
Issue: 12
Pages: 3725-77

Authors (4)

Barton H. Hamilton (Washington University in St. L...) Emily Jungheim (not in RePEc) Brian McManus (not in RePEc) Juan Pantano (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

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.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:108:y:2018:i:12:p:3725-77
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25