We conducted an economic evaluation (respectively a budget impact analysis) for three different screenings which were selected in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Health and Women (BMGF): testing of TSH as screening for hypothyroidism, urine culture as screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria and ultrasound screening for foetal anomalies.

Generally, for answering the research questions a budget impact analysis was conducted. The costs were calculated from the perspective of public reimbursement authorities and for a time horizon of three and ten years (up to the years 2019 and 2026).

For the time horizon from 2017 to 2019, the calculated costs of the TSH-screening are around 1.23 million euros. When comparing the potential cost savings due to prevented preterm births and the costs of the screening for a three years’ time horizon (2017-2019), the expected savings are around 2 million euros higher than the costs of the screening.

For the time horizon from 2017 to 2019, the calculated costs of the screening of asymptomatic bacteriuria are around 536,000 euros for the dip stick test and nearly 1.17 million euros for the new test. For a time period of three years (2017-2019), at least 45 preterm births need to be avoided to cover the costs of the new screening.

For the time period from 2017 to 2019 the calculated costs for the ultrasound scan for foetal anomalies are around 337,800 euros, when 5% of all pregnant women are screened, and up to 6.67 million euros, when all pregnant women are screened.