Objective: The aim of this article is to determine the cost effectiveness of cell free DNA (cfDNA) as a replacement for integrated screening using a societal cost perspective.
Method: This study used Monte-Carlo simulation with one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Results: Cell free DNA is more effective and less costly than integrated screening. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for cfDNA relative to the integrated test was -$277 955 per case detected (95th percent confidence interval -$881 882 to $532 785).
Conclusion: Cell free DNA screening is a cost-effective replacement for maternal serum screening when the lifetime costs of Down syndrome live births are considered. The adoption of cfDNA screening would save approximately $277 955 for each additional case detected over integrated screening.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.