Assistive Reproductive Technologies: a Literature Review and Database Analysis

This report on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is a literature review and secondary analyses of administrative health data conducted to provide information on the direct health care costs associated with multiple pregnancies and the potential cost impact of ARTs in Alberta. It examines the impact of multiple pregnancies and Assistive Reproductive Technologies on health resources in Alberta by addressing the following questions:

1. Is there economic evidence that assistive reproductive technologies increase health services costs?
2. Is reducing the number of embryos transferred per in-vitro fertilization cycle cost effective?
3. Does reducing multiple embryo transfers per in-vitto fertilization cycle of patient reimbursement for in-vitro fertilization procedures reduce health services costs?
4. What is the cost impact of multiple pregnancies on health services costs in Alberta?
5. What is the potential cost savings to the Alberta health system by reducing the number of multiple pregnancies resulting from assistive reproductive technologies to single pregnancies?

Information Specialist: Liz Dennett