A newly introduced proposal in the state Legislature would require private health insurers to cover treatments for infertility, a measure backers say would eliminate a financial barrier to starting a family in Michigan.
Senate Bill 922 was introduced by state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, on Thursday, April 23. Specifically, the proposal would require private insurers to cover fertility diagnostic care, treatment, egg retrieval, preservation services and the transfer of an embryo to a surrogate, although the insurer would not be required to cover any medical costs for the surrogate after the transfer takes place.
“By requiring Michigan health insurers to cover standard care fertility treatments, we can give more people a fair chance to build their families here in our state,” Chang said a Lansing press conference that also was livestreamed.
The average cost of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle can range between $15,000 and $30,000, according to fertility care network CNY Fertility. Currently, 15 states have laws mandating private insurers to cover costs of IVF, and 21 states have laws mandating coverage of preservation services, according to RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association.
In Michigan, lawmakers took steps to expand access to IVF in 2024 when they passed legislation removing a ban on paid surrogacy agreements. Surrogate parenting refers to the process in which a woman will carry a pregnancy and deliver a child for another family.
Awareness of infertility treatments, including IVF, has grown in recent years. One in six adults of reproductive age will experience infertility at some point in their lives, according to the World Health Organization.
Similar legislation to SB 922 is expected to be introduced in the Michigan House, Chang said.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Gabriella Abel said over email the company is reviewing the legislation and declined to comment on the bill. BCBSM is one of the largest health insurers in Michigan.
SB 922 was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bill would require insurers to cover infertility treatment in Michigan
Reporting by Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
