Analysis of Out-of-Pocket Payments Associated with Female Infertility in Hungary Between 2015-2023
Author(s)
Dalma Pónusz-Kovács, MSc1, Róbert Pónusz, MSc, PhD1, Luca F. Kajos, MSc1, Tímea Csákvári, MSc, PhD2, Bettina Kovács, MSc1, Kálmán Kovács, MD, Ph.D., Habil3, József Bódis, MD, Ph.D., Habil3, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD1;
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Pécs, Hungary
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Pécs, Hungary
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: In Hungary, the number of live births has been decreasing for more than two decades. The government has set a national strategic purpose to increase the accessibility to infertility treatments and relieve the financial burden of affected families. The reform started in 2019, resulting in a significant increase in the state's involvement in providing and financing infertility treatments. This paper evaluates the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure related to infertility about pharmaceutical utilization in Hungary.
METHODS: The turnover data of prescriptions for infertility diagnoses was analyzed. The following WHO ICD (revision X.) infertility diagnoses were included in the study: N97.0; N97.1; N97.2; N97.3; N97.4; N97.8; N97.9. The study analyzed the annual OOP associated with different infertility diagnoses. Moreover, the market share linked to pharmaceutical products was also evaluated. The study database was provided by the Health Data Warehouse of the National Hospital General Directorate. The examined period covered 2015-2023 years. The expenditures were set in USD (the mean value of 1 USD during the study period= 301.70 HUF).
RESULTS: The total OOP expenditure for infertility-related pharmaceutical utilization was 19.19 million USD in Hungary. The highest level was identified in 2017 (3.14 million USD) while the lowest was in 2023 (976,653 USD). A significant difference was captured in the expenditure linked to diagnosis. The highest market share was represented by N97.9 ICD (female infertility, unspecified; 16.33 million USD). Expenditure by active substance had a different outcome. The highest expenditure was associated with follitropin alfa (8.17 million USD) and progesterone (3.27 million USD).
CONCLUSIONS: The OOP expenditure has decreased in the study period, especially from 2020. From that year onwards, the government took on a greater role by increasing public subsidies for infertility-related pharmaceuticals. Based on the result, the financial burden of Hungarian patients related to infertility has been relieved.
METHODS: The turnover data of prescriptions for infertility diagnoses was analyzed. The following WHO ICD (revision X.) infertility diagnoses were included in the study: N97.0; N97.1; N97.2; N97.3; N97.4; N97.8; N97.9. The study analyzed the annual OOP associated with different infertility diagnoses. Moreover, the market share linked to pharmaceutical products was also evaluated. The study database was provided by the Health Data Warehouse of the National Hospital General Directorate. The examined period covered 2015-2023 years. The expenditures were set in USD (the mean value of 1 USD during the study period= 301.70 HUF).
RESULTS: The total OOP expenditure for infertility-related pharmaceutical utilization was 19.19 million USD in Hungary. The highest level was identified in 2017 (3.14 million USD) while the lowest was in 2023 (976,653 USD). A significant difference was captured in the expenditure linked to diagnosis. The highest market share was represented by N97.9 ICD (female infertility, unspecified; 16.33 million USD). Expenditure by active substance had a different outcome. The highest expenditure was associated with follitropin alfa (8.17 million USD) and progesterone (3.27 million USD).
CONCLUSIONS: The OOP expenditure has decreased in the study period, especially from 2020. From that year onwards, the government took on a greater role by increasing public subsidies for infertility-related pharmaceuticals. Based on the result, the financial burden of Hungarian patients related to infertility has been relieved.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HPR73
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory
Topic Subcategory
Insurance Systems & National Health Care, Public Spending & National Health Expenditures
Disease
SDC: Reproductive & Sexual Health