| Because infertility is a health problem it should be | | | | - If you need help now, or even next year, it won't |
| covered by your employer's group health plan. Well, it | | | | help you. Some benefits in the law are in effect now, |
| probably isn't - so you better check your policy | | | | but the vast majority of changes to insurance |
| details. Insurer's classify it as optional treatment, like | | | | coverage won't be implemented until 2013. |
| liposuction or breast reduction surgery. If you're | | | | - Nothing in the new law's 2,000+ pages specifically |
| feeling the fears, anxiety, and mental weight of going | | | | addresses coverage for infertility treatment or implies |
| month after month without becoming pregnant, you | | | | mandated coverage for infertility. There may or may |
| know it's a real and serious health problem. | | | | not be some coverage, we won't know until full |
| Infertility Insurance - It's the Law in 15 States | | | | details are worked out. |
| Before you panic, check for mandated infertility | | | | What to Do |
| treatment in your state. Fifteen states have laws | | | | Be realistic - you can only deal with the here and |
| specifically requiring insurers to provide some | | | | now. If the reality of infertility treatment cost is |
| coverage - most likely limited coverage - for infertility | | | | overwhelming and you are committed as a couple to |
| treatment. Here's the list: California, New York, | | | | having children, consider these steps: |
| Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Connecticut, | | | | - Get a realistic estimate of the likely costs for the |
| Georgia, Hawaii, Arkansas, Maryland, Montana, New | | | | full course treatment you will need. |
| Mexico, West Virginia and Rhode Island. | | | | - Carefully examine details of the insurance plans |
| But if you're in one of these states, check the details | | | | covering each of you to determine exactly what |
| about coverage limits because they vary greatly - | | | | costs will be covered. |
| some really generous and some ridiculously limited. | | | | - If one partner's plan is more generous than the |
| More advanced treatments such as IVF and egg | | | | other's, consider shifting to the plan with better |
| donation may not be covered. And even if you live in | | | | infertility coverage. |
| a state mandating liberal coverage, your group health | | | | - Otherwise, you might consider changing jobs, if you |
| plan may be excluded under the law because your | | | | have the opportunity to work for a company with |
| employer is a small company. Or the definition of | | | | especially generous insurance benefits. |
| infertility may exclude your case - really, check the | | | | - Finally, consider relocating to a state with better |
| law. | | | | mandated coverage. |
| No Mandated Coverage in Other States | | | | If none of those options are available, you will |
| In the 35 states without laws requiring infertility | | | | probably have to pay for infertility treatments from |
| insurance coverage, you're dependent on the | | | | resources available to you. With the cost established, |
| generosity of your employer's health plan. But only | | | | consider these possible sources: |
| about one in four plans cover infertility treatment. | | | | - Your infertility clinic may offer payment plans or |
| Those plans impose limits on specific types of | | | | guarantees to cap your costs at a certain level. |
| treatment or extent of treatment or dollar limits on | | | | Carefully evaluate those plans before agreeing. |
| treatments or drugs. So your out-of-pocket costs will | | | | - If you have a flexible-spending account for health |
| probably be significant even if you have some | | | | costs, it can be used to pay for infertility treatment. |
| coverage. | | | | - You can withdraw from your 401-K account, but |
| New Federal Health Care Law - ObamaCare | | | | beware of the tax bite you may incur. |
| President Obama's health care initiative has been | | | | - If you have lived in your home for a few years, |
| highly touted as a big improvement, a broad overhaul | | | | you may have enough equity to get a home equity |
| that will bring expanded coverage and fairness across | | | | loan at a very favorable rate. |
| the board. Maybe it will, but don't count on it to | | | | - Your parents (eager future grandparents) may be |
| provide comprehensive infertility insurance coverage. | | | | able and willing to help. |
| Consider: | | | | |