Initial experience with a risk-sharing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program with novel features

Objective: To describe outcomes of the first 100 consecutive infertility patients participating in a risk-sharing program with uncomplicated eligibility requirements. The program included the costs of FSH-containing gonadotropin preparations and provided a full payment refund if no birth occurred that resulted in a normal infant surviving to an age of 1 month. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Private IVF center. Patient(s): Infertility patients <35 years of age, considered to be good autologous oocyte IVF candidates at time of program enrollment. Intervention(s): Retrospective analysis of outcomes of fresh IVF-ET and frozen embryo transfer cycles involving conventional treatment protocols. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cumulative successful pregnancy rate. Result(s): Of the first 100 patients enrolled in the program, 82 have had a delivery of a normal infant surviving to an age of 1 month, and another 6 have undelivered ongoing pregnancies at 20+ weeks. Nine participants completed the program without completing a successful treatment cycle, and another three remain enrolled. Conclusion(s): Infertility patients <35 years of age participating in a risk-sharing program with uncomplicated eligibility requirements are very likely to have a successful pregnancy. Other centers may wish to incorporate some of the described program's features into their own risk-sharing IVF programs.