The economics of infertility: developing an infertility managed-care plan.

Infertility is a natural disorder for developing a managed-care plan. Infertility has a clearly defined end point. The treatment regimens and protocols used for treating infertile couples have predictable outcomes; it is possible to develop rational treatment plans over a limited period of time. It is not unreasonable for infertile couples to share the cost of treatment and for the physician-providers to share the economic risk by providing a bundle of optimal services at a fixed price. We present the theoretic basis for an infertility managed-care plan and the requirements for developing a plan that can be sold in the marketplace. Finally, we discuss some of the consequences of an infertility managed-care plan on physician relationships, physician manpower, research, and education.