Receiving fertility care is very important for individuals and couples who are trying to start or grow their families. Unfortunately, many states make it very difficult for people to get the fertility care they need. 

Fertility rates in the US have been declining in recent years and more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. Because of that, there are more states thinking about mandating fertility coverage for insurers offering policies in those states. That would significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses that come with these kinds of treatments, allowing more would-be parents to have their dreams come true.

Some parents have spent tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, to have children, and there are many more who would like to be parents but who aren’t able to come up with the funds for IVF and other treatments. Having insurance that covers fertility treatments would be a game-changer. However, a lot of insurance companies don’t want to offer this coverage because of the added expenses to them, and there are concerns that those costs would be passed on to other policyholders through increased premiums.

Twenty-one states require insurers to offer coverage, but the rest of the states don’t. There are bills being introduced in many of these states in an attempt to change that, with varying degrees of success. Expanded coverage would mean more states with fertility treatment coverage through insurers, and also additional states where same-sex couples and single people have IVF and other options through their insurance, as well.

With the cost of IVF being the largest barrier to treatment within the United States, the push for more insurers to cover it continues. Unfortunately, opponents of this change are also fighting to keep it out of insurance coverage, citing the ways that could increase already significant costs of coverage. Individuals and small businesses could be hit hardest, as they’re less likely to be able to absorb any increase in premiums from changes and expansion of coverage. How many states make changes to help people become parents more easily remains to be seen.

We are committed to helping people grow their families through assisted reproductive technologies. To learn more about how we can help you on your journey, contact us today.