Researchers Studied Patients with a Defined Fertility Benefit and their Progression to Treatment in a Covid-19 World
NEW YORK, October 20, 2021 – Progyny, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNY), a leading benefits management company specializing in fertility and family building benefits solutions in the United States, and RMA of New York and CCRM New York, two Manhattan-based fertility clinics, presented original research at the 77th Annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Scientific Congress & Expo on October 19, 2021. The research presented examined patient progression to fertility treatment following an initial consultation before, during, and after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reshaped access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. ASRM’s March 2020 recommendation to halt all new ART treatments left many patients unable to pursue treatment until clinics resumed operations. Then, in April 2020, ASRM provided updated guidance on how clinics could reopen safely. In the aftermath of this guidance, Progyny conducted a longitudinal study to better understand how often patients were progressing from an initial consultation to treatment within 90 days in a COVID-19 world. The study examined over 27,000 patients who sought ART treatment from January 1, 2018 to October 1, 2020 and who had access to a defined fertility benefit.
Amongst other things, the key finding was that patients elected to move on to treatment shortly after stay-at-home orders were lifted and ASRM guidelines were updated to allow for new patient starts amid the backdrop of a newly emerging global pandemic.
Study author Dr. Alan Copperman, co-founder of RMA of New York and Medical Director of Progyny, commented, “The study results give us a better understanding of how significantly the pandemic impacted our industry. Interestingly, those who elected to seek treatment months after stay-at-home orders were announced were determined to progress through treatment at higher rates than ever before – even as compared to pre-pandemic. But perhaps even more importantly, it showed us that despite COVID, family building and seeking fertility treatments is still crucial to our patients.”
Dr. Janet Choi, study author, member of Progyny’s Medical Advisory Board, and medical director of CCRM New York, said, “It is undeniable that we have made significant strides in adjusting to the changing pandemic-related guidelines and ensuring a safe environment for staff and patients. Tactics like telehealth visits made it possible for us to still connect with our patients despite strict safety protocols and stay-at-home orders.”
Edward Hsyeh, Associate Vice President of Business Operations at Progyny and study author, also added, “While it is encouraging to see that our study found that Progyny’s patients progressed to treatment at normal rates within a few months of ASRM’s initial guidance, we are committed to understanding if those rates changed significantly throughout the pandemic. As the environment continues to evolve and impact clinic and patient decision making, we look forward to expanding our research and continuing to learn from our large dataset of covered fertility patients.”
The abstract was presented by Hsyeh on October 19 at 11:15 A.M. Eastern Time to ASRM attendees.
About Progyny:
Progyny (Nasdaq: PGNY) is a leading fertility benefits management company in the US. We are redefining fertility and family building benefits, proving that a comprehensive and inclusive fertility solution can simultaneously benefit employers, patients, and physicians.
Our benefits solution empowers patients with education and guidance from a dedicated Patient Care Advocate (PCA), provides access to a premier network of fertility specialists using the latest science and technologies, reduces healthcare costs for the nation’s leading employers, and drives optimal clinical outcomes. We envision a world where anyone who wants to have a child can do so.
Headquartered in New York City, Progyny has been recognized for its leadership and growth by CNBC Disruptor 50, Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare, Financial Times, INC. 5000, and Crain’s Fast 50 for NYC. For more information, visit www.progyny.com.
About Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York):
RMA of New York is widely recognized as a global leader in state-of-the-art reproductive medicine. Led by an integrated team of doctors and scientists with extensive reproductive endocrinology, fertility and urology experience and training, RMA of New York consistently reports IVF success rates to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is internationally recognized for achieving high success rates in the treatment of infertility. RMA of New York maximizes access to care by helping patients explore all insurance coverage and financing options available for treatment. RMA of New York is sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, women choosing single parent motherhood, and women pursuing fertility preservation.
Headquartered in midtown Manhattan, RMA of New York has six patient care facilities throughout New York, including three facilities in Manhattan, as well as in Brooklyn, Garden City, Westchester, and abroad in Mexico City. For more information, please visit www.rmany.com.
About CCRM Fertility:
Founded by Dr. William Schoolcraft in 1987, CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine) Fertility is the nation’s leader in fertility care and research. CCRM Fertility specializes in the most advanced fertility treatments, with deep expertise in in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility assessment, fertility preservation, genetic testing, third party reproduction and egg donation. Unlike many other fertility clinics that outsource their specialists and testing needs, CCRM Fertility leverages its own data, as well as a dedicated team of in-house reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists and geneticists in order to deliver industry-leading outcomes. CCRM Fertility operates 11 fertility centers (including 27 offices) throughout North America, serving prospective parents in major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, New York, Northern Virginia, Minneapolis, Orange County, San Francisco Bay Area, and Toronto. For more information, visit www.ccrmivf.com.
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Selena Yang
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