SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5470

BYSenators Moore and Murray

Providing insurance coverage for persons with involuntary infertility.

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1989

Senate Staff:Bev Tweddle (786-7403)

AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The insurance code does not require disability insurers, health care service contractors, or health maintenance organizations to provide benefits for the treatment of infertility.  Health coverage for infertility treatment is generally limited and unavailable even if requested by a consumer.

SUMMARY:

Each individual and group disability insurance policy, health care service contract, and health maintenance agreement that pays for pregnancy-related expenses shall provide for expenses related to involuntary infertility, subject to the same deductibles, co-payments and other coverage provisions that apply to pregnancy-related expenses.

Involuntary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child after one year or more of regular sexual relations without the use of contraceptives, in the inability to carry pregnancy to a live birth, or the presence of a demonstrated condition recognized by a licensed physician as the cause of infertility.

Services related to involuntary infertility are defined as procedures consistent with established medical practices in the treatment of infertility as sanctioned by the American Infertility Society and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested