Bill > S1122

Introduced Session

This bill amends the current law concerning insurance coverage for infertility treatment and services. It requires certain health insurers to provide health benefits coverage for preimplantation genetic screening when it is considered a medically necessary expense incurred in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, as defined under that law. Under the bill, "preimplantation genetic screening" means a laboratory procedure that is used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to test an embryo for abnormal chromosomes before it is transferred to the uterus. Compared to transferring multiple embryos without preimplantation genetic screening, research indicates that transferring a single embryo with no chromosomal abnormalities during an IVF cycle has a decreased probability of resulting in a medically expensive and risky multiple gestation pregnancy without affecting the potential success of the cycle. Furthermore, transferring embryos without chromosomal abnormalities also significantly decreases the probability of a miscarriage. The infertility coverage law currently includes health benefits for IVF; however, health insurers are permitted under that law to limit IVF benefits to a covered person who: has used all reasonable, less expensive and medically appropriate treatments and is still unable to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy; has not reached the limit of four completed egg retrievals; and is 45 years of age or younger. Under this bill, the same limitations may apply to preimplantation genetic screening at the discretion of the health insurer. The provisions of this bill apply to hospital, medical and health service corporations, commercial group insurers and health maintenance organizations that provide benefits to groups of 50 or more persons. The bill also applies to health benefits plans issued pursuant to the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program.

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Joe Vitale (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 01/30/2020)