Penn Medicine Virtual Care Program Improves Access to Fertility Treatment

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania assessed the Fast Track to Fertility Program implemented at Penn Medicine, which aims to boost access to fertility care for patients who are struggling to conceive, and found that it ultimately leads to lower wait times, more patients served, lower no-show rates, and improved satisfaction.

According to the press release, one in eight couples in the US experiences infertility. In addition, 65 percent of patients seeking fertility care eventually stop treatment, often due to stress.

The Fast Track to Fertility program cuts treatment wait times almost in half (97 to 41 days), according to research published in NEJM Catalyst. The program also increased patient capacity, leading to a 24 percent jump in the number of patients treated in the year it was implemented.

The program includes a team of advanced practice providers who conduct telehealth-based visits with new patients. Patients also gain access to an artificial intelligence (AI)-based text messaging system to guide them through their initial examinations.

Early pilots of the program, which used humans rather than AI to text patients, reduced new patient visit wait times by 88 percent, leading to an average wait time of only four days.

The program produced various other benefits as well. For example, the rate of no-show appointments dropped from 40 to 20 percent. Researchers also found that patient satisfaction with the program was high.

“Most of the people who seek fertility care have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year, so the emotional stakes are high and they really want to get started as soon as possible,” said Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, the study’s senior author, a Fast Track to Fertility program co-founder, and chair of gynecology for the Women’s Health Service Line at Penn Medicine, in a press release. “Our findings show that this program can significantly speed up the time to treatment and, in so doing, opens the door for so many more people. These findings show this way of doing things can make real differences in people’s lives.”

Recently, several providers and payers have made efforts to improve and increase virtual access to fertility care.

In June, Maven Clinic and Cleveland Clinic announced that they would work together to enhance virtual fertility care. Through the partnership, Maven Clinic will integrate various support and in-person care services into its virtual offerings, such as appointment scheduling and financial counseling.

In August, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan said it would offer members access to a virtual maternity care program through Maven Clinic. The program provides services related to parenthood, pregnancy, postpartum care, and pediatrics.