Clinics navigate stagnant expansion while grappling with barriers to care and rising operational strain

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BY INSIDE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

30 to 40 Percent of Patients Gone after Initial Consult

While patient interest in fertility care remains robust, translating that demand into expanded clinic growth has been challenging. According to industry studies, 30–40% of patients fail to return after an initial consult, pointing to a significant leakage in patient retention—literally stalling growth. Meanwhile, dropout rates can soar as high as 65% during active treatment.

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Adherence to Prescribed Fertility Medication Protocols Only Moderate

Logistical hurdles—from payer complexity to geography—continue to limit clinic expansion. High IVF costs (approximately $25,000 per cycle) further impede access. Clinics thus face structural constraints on both the supply (operational bandwidth) and demand (financial burden) sides.

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy found that even among patients undergoing frozen embryo transfers, adherence to prescribed fertility medication protocols was only moderate. This underscores how even among committed patients, complexity in medication management continues to pose a barrier to successful outcomes.

5% Uptick in Retention Can Boost Profits By More Than 25%

As clinics pursue sustainable growth, they’re increasingly partnering with providers offering tangible operational value. Companies like Meitheal, emphasizing pragmatic collaborations and transparent relationships, are gaining attention. Their distribution model supports affordability and clinic efficiency—underscoring a shift from product‑centric to barrier‑focused strategies.

In broader healthcare, loyalty-driven relationships translate into tangible cost savings: a 5% uptick in retention can boost profits by over 25%, according to Bain & Company. For fertility centers experiencing high patient dropout rates, minimizing attrition is not only a clinical imperative but a business one.

Financial clarity is a key part of that equation. As noted by MD Clarity, giving patients upfront, accurate cost estimates increases satisfaction and reduces last-minute cancellations or treatment delays—two common pain points in fertility cycles.

Innovation Can Help Unlock Access—but Needs Support to Scale

New therapies and delivery formats, such as prefilled pens, are improving patient experience by reducing complexity and the risk of user error. These innovations offer a meaningful path to better adherence, particularly for patients managing multiple medications.

Still, technology must be part of a larger strategy. Clinics need supporting infrastructure—from patient education to streamlined training and transparent financial counseling—to ensure these innovations achieve their full potential. When paired with operational improvements and system-level changes, drug delivery innovation can become a catalyst for broader access and sustainable clinic growth.