Financial Assistance for Infertility Treatments in Saxony-Anhalt: Declining Applications
Introduction
In the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the number of applications for financial support for fertility treatments has once again declined in the past year. According to the state’s administrative office in Halle, 422 applications were received in 2023, with 354 being approved. In 2022, there were 445 applications, of which 360 were granted. A downward trend has been evident in these numbers over time.
Program Details and Eligibility
The Land (state) of Saxony-Anhalt and the federal government offer financial assistance to help cover the costs of assisted reproduction. Eligible applicants include married couples or unmarried couples living together, but not same-sex couples. The female partner must be between 25 and 40 years old, and the male partner must be between 25 and 50 years old. They must have a primary residence in Saxony-Anhalt, and the treatment must typically be carried out in a reproductive health clinic within the state.
Support for In Vitro Fertilization and ICSI
The program provides support for couples undergoing multiple attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The maximum financial assistance is 800 euros for IVF and 900 euros for ICSI, if the couple receives additional subsidies from their health insurance. For unmarried couples without additional subsidies, the assistance can amount to 1,600 euros for IVF and 1,800 euros for ICSI.
Funding and Utilization
In 2023, the state and federal government contributed approximately 221,500 euros to the program. This was less than the amount allocated for 2022 (approximately 236,000 euros) and significantly lower than the amount disbursed in 2019 (over 298,000 euros). Notably, the funds available for 2023 exceeded the amount utilized.
Most of the approved funding in 2023 went towards first attempts at fertility treatment (211 cases). Half as many subsidies were granted for second attempts, and only 41 for third attempts. Data on success rates is not available.
Declining Birth Rates in Saxony-Anhalt
Alongside the decrease in applications for fertility assistance, Saxony-Anhalt has seen a decline in overall birth rates. According to recent estimates, 12,400 children were born in the state in 2023, 1,150 fewer than in 2022. This represents a new low, even compared to the years following German reunification in the early 1990s.
Conclusion
While financial assistance for fertility treatments in Saxony-Anhalt remains available, the number of applications has declined in recent years. The decline in both fertility assistance applications and overall birth rates underscores the challenges faced by the state in supporting families and promoting population growth.
