Impact of nationwide health insurance coverage for non-invasive prenatal testing.

Vinante V1, Keller B1, Huhn EA1, Huang D1, Lapaire O1, Manegold-Brauer G1.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the changes in women's choices for prenatal testing after the introduction of nationwide health insurance coverage for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in Switzerland.

METHODS:

The present retrospective study reviewed data from all women with singleton pregnancies who presented at the prenatal unit of Basel University Hospital, Switzerland, for first-trimester screening between July 15, 2014, and December 31, 2015. Women were divided into three categories according to their risk for aneuploidy, and the uptake of NIPT in the period before and after the introduction of the nationwide coverage for NIPT was compared.

RESULTS:

Overall, 887 women were included in the study: 573 screens were carried out before (group 1) and 314 after (group 2) the introduction of insurance coverage for NIPT. In group 1, 53 (9.2%) had NIPT as compared with 72 (22.9%) in group 2. Among women with intermediate risk for aneuploidies and basic insurance coverage, NIPT increased by 56% (12/88 [14%] versus 32/46 [70%]; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

There was a notable increase in the uptake of NIPT; uptake was most significant among women with basic health insurance and intermediate risk for aneuploidy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Cell-free DNA analysis; Fetal aneuploidies; First-trimester screening; Insurance coverage; Invasive procedures; Non-invasive prenatal testing; Prenatal care; Prenatal screening