Project Grant R01HD113625

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) awarded a $707,586 Project Grant (CFDA 93.865 - Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research) to the Regents of the University of Michigan to conduct research on how health insurance benefit design affects infertility treatment and birth outcomes. The key objectives are to: 1) Define the characteristics of employer-sponsored in vitro fertilization (IVF) insurance coverage in the U.S., 2) Quantify which elements of IVF insurance coverage most influence patient decision-making, and 3) Evaluate the health outcomes and medical expenditures associated with different IVF benefit designs. The project will employ a multi-method approach including nationwide evaluations, sophisticated patient surveys, and analyses of real-world outcomes and costs under various IVF benefit plans. The research aims to provide an evidence base to help employers and policymakers create IVF benefits that promote maternal and infant health while avoiding unintended negative consequences. The project will be conducted by the University of Michigan from September 2024 through May 2029.