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Patient Survey: Refund Program Yields 96-Percent Satisfaction Rate

Posted on: Thursday, 8 June 2006, 18:00 CDT

IntegraMed America, Inc. (Nasdaq: INMD), the largest fertility-services company in the United States, announced survey findings today in which 96 percent of respondents who completed infertility treatment under the IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program ("Shared Risk") would recommend the plan to friends and family - including patients who got pregnant on their first cycle and would therefore have spent less on a per-cycle basis.

Additionally, patients who enrolled in Shared Risk stayed in treatment an average of 47 percent longer than patients with similar clinical profiles - with 75 percent taking home a baby.

In a survey of 1,000 of the most recent participants over the last two years, patients cited the peace of mind they got from participating in the program as essential to their success with fertility treatment. As an indication of patient satisfaction, the survey received a 38-percent response rate - an unusually high return for a mail-based survey.

"This survey confirms the overwhelming patient appeal of Shared Risk," said Jay Higham, IntegraMed's President & CEO. "It provides insight into the thinking and motivations of Shared Risk participants and why the program is uniquely suited to satisfy those needs. That clarity enables us to work with physicians and office staff so they can better position Shared Risk as an option for patients."

Under Shared Risk, patients receive up to six cycles of treatment for a single fee, with a substantive refund if the patient does not end up with a take-home baby. Unlike many other multi-cycle fertility programs, Shared Risk was built on detailed actuarial analysis and is managed by IntegraMed, a third-party administrator separate from a physician's practice.

"The actuarial analysis enables us to manage our risk and broaden the spectrum of patients we can include," said Pam Schumann, IntegraMed Vice President of Consumer Services. "This is shown by the fact that we have accepted over 75 percent of applications since the start of the program."

By acting as a third-party administrator, Schumann said, IntegraMed can achieve economies of scale from a centrally-managed operation, distribute the risk across a broader pool of enrollees and avoid the conflicts of interest that physicians might encounter when they select patients to enroll in their home-grown programs.

"We believe the IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program is the most widely-used multi-cycle fertility program, and growing rapidly," Schumann said, noting that enrollment has doubled in each of the past three years.

Surprisingly, 98 percent of the patients who got pregnant on their first cycle and could therefore have spent less on a per-cycle basis also said they would recommend it to others.

"These participants were actually the most satisfied with Shared Risk," said Higham. "Even the best candidates for treatment run the risk of not getting pregnant the first time out, and they know it. Shared Risk takes that concern out of the equation. Patients understand and value that."

About IntegraMed America, Inc.

IntegraMed America, Inc. provides business services to a national network of 29 fertility centers in 85 locations across the United States; distributes pharmaceutical products and treatment financing programs directly to consumers; and operates the Web site http://www.integramed.com, a leading fertility portal. The IntegraMed network includes 154 physicians and Ph.D. scientists. Network membership is limited to one practice per metropolitan area, yet one of every five procedures in the U.S. is performed in an IntegraMed practice. IntegraMed provides more services to both consumers and medical providers in the fertility field than any other consortium.

Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical fact, including statements concerning future results, performance, expectations and expansion of IntegraMed are forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the statements made as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the risks associated with IntegraMed's ability to finance future growth; the loss of significant business services contract(s); profitability at Reproductive Science Centers serviced by IntegraMed; changes in insurance coverage, government laws and regulations regarding health care or managed care contracting; and other risks, including those identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K and in other documents filed by IntegraMed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of June 8, 2006 and IntegraMed undertakes no duty to update this information.

Press Backgrounder - Shared Risk Program

Following are comments from a survey of patients who've completed infertility treatment under the IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program:

-- "In almost four years of trying for a baby, Shared Risk was a definite bright point. It really helped alleviate the pressure and stress of the financial end of IVF and we truly believe this helped us get our son." (patient was successful on second attempt)

-- "Although I got pregnant on my first round, I firmly believe it was due to the lack of stress placed on the first cycle. I will never regret doing it and I feel it was the best option for our family!" (patient was successful on first attempt)

-- "A program of this sort is critical to the emotional and financial well-being of couples going through IVF...I was surprised by how many people don't know the program is available." (patient was successful on second attempt)

-- I was happy you allowed us to withdraw from the program, no questions asked. Although IVF did not work for us, being part of the Shared Risk Program was a positive experience." (patient withdrew after 2 failed IVF cycles and received a refund)

-- We loved the idea of this program because of the multiple tries and the money back. Much to our surprise, IVF worked on our first try and our twins are now 7 months old. If it wasn't for your program we would not have attempted IVF and wouldn't have the joy the twins bring to our lives." (patient was successful on first attempt)

Although Shared Risk is a financial/risk management decision, the survey found that patients valued hearing about it from their physicians - "hearing about it from my physician" was the highest-ranked reason that led to patients investigating the Shared Risk Program.

"People don't buy any kind of insurance hoping to cash it in," says Jay Higham, IntegraMed President & CEO. "They want to manage their risk 'just in case.' Shared Risk enables us to fulfill our mission of improving fertility practice performance while helping consumers obtain better clinical outcomes more easily and affordably."

Source: Business Wire

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