Starting in January, the National Health Fund increased funding for the seminogram, or semen test. This is crucial in the diagnosis of male infertility. In Poland, the problem of infertility affects up to 1.5 million couples, or one-fifth of the population of reproductive age. Globally, it affects about 17.5 percent of the adult population.
NHF reminds: semen testing is reimbursed
Published Jan. 19, 2024 08:28
It is worth remembering that a fertility problem can be diagnosed on either the male or female side, or in both partners. Therefore, it is necessary to have equal access to infertility diagnosis for women and men.
As of January 1, 2024, the National Health Fund has changed the way it funds one of the basic tests for male infertility - the seminogram. The test is referred by a specialist doctor, as part of a consultation at an obstetrics-gynecology, urology, endocrinology, andrology, infertility treatment or family planning and reproduction clinic. The doctor then evaluates its result and plans further diagnostic and therapeutic treatment. The National Health Service will pay for any seminogram performed on the basis of a referral.
- Seminogram is the basic test used in the diagnosis of male infertility, which should begin in parallel with the diagnosis of the woman. Until now, semen examination (seminogram) was carried out as part of the procedure "Microscopic examination of biological material - direct preparation". Due to the increasing cost of the examination, it was separated from the group of microscopic examinations as a separate item in the Regulation of the Minister of Health on guaranteed services in the field of outpatient specialized care, and priced by the Agency for the Assessment of Medical Technologies and Tarification (AOTMiT)," points out Dr. Maciej Karaszewski, deputy director of the Department of Health Care Services at the National Health Fund Headquarters.
During the examination, general semen parameters are analyzed, such as ejaculate viscosity volume, liquefaction time, pH, semen appearance, the total number of sperm in the semen, the number of sperm in 1 ml of ejaculate, the percentage of live and moving sperm, as well as possible clustering and the degree of this phenomenon.
The test is performed free of charge in adult men who have tried unsuccessfully for at least 12 months with their partner to get pregnant in a situation where the partner is under 35 years old, or who have tried unsuccessfully for at least six months with their partner to get pregnant in a situation where the partner is over 35 years old, then if the man has a diagnosis of infertility, and if his partner is qualified for intrauterine insemination.
From 3 to 5 days before the test, sexual abstinence should be observed, alcohol and smoking should be stopped, and excessive exertion should be avoided.
Elaborated. on the basis of: nfz.gov.pl
