Je mehr Eizellen, desto besser? Eine Kosten-Nutzen-Betrachtung der assistierten Reproduktion

Assisted reproduction makes it possible to fulfill a previously failed desire to have children in an increasingly effective way; however, the technical effort required to carry it out is considerable due to the increasing technical, legal and official requirements. Ethical questions also influence the treatment process as the long-term use of the resulting embryos must also be taken into account. In view of a changing world of work with an increasing shortage of skilled workers, rising material costs and limited financial flexibility for both patients, payers and service providers, an increase in efficiency is absolutely necessary. The medical goal, the transfer of an embryo of good morphological quality, is also possible with a limited number of eggs to be treated, without affecting the success of the treatment. The creation of additional fertilized eggs for later use increases the chance of pregnancy in subsequent therapy. A transfer of cryopreserved oocytes or embryos is generally much gentler and if necessary also enables the fulfilment of a secondary unfulfilled desire for children after a previously successful artificial insemination. Although the creation of an individual fertility reserve is worthwhile for patients, there is no entitlement to statutory health insurance to cover the related costs, which means an additional financial burden for those affected. For flat rate reimbursement of treatment, the focus is on optimal core services in order to give as many patients as possible access to the limited resources of the public health sector but also for medical service providers.