S. 797: Family Building FEHB Fairness Act

This bill, known as the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act, aims to amend existing laws regarding health insurance benefits for fertility treatments in the United States. Specifically, it targets the health insurance program provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, which covers federal employees, retirees, and their families. Here are the main features of the bill:

Overview of the Bill

The main intent of the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act is to enhance access to fertility treatment by expanding the benefits provided under the FEHB program. The proposed amendments include:

Inclusion of Fertility Treatment Benefits

The bill will formally include "fertility treatment benefits" as part of the healthcare coverage offered under the FEHB. This means:

• Insurance plans will be required to cover a range of fertility treatments.
• Individuals enrolled in the FEHB program will have access to treatments that were previously not covered.

Definition of Fertility Treatments

Under the bill, "fertility treatment" is defined to include a variety of methods and services aimed at assisting individuals in conceiving. Specifically, the bill outlines that fertility treatment may encompass:

• Preservation of human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use.
• Artificial insemination methods, inclusive of intravaginal, intracervical, and intrauterine insemination.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART), which includes in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other procedures involving reproductive genetic material.
• Genetic testing of embryos.
• Medications related to fertility treatment, whether prescribed or obtained over the counter.
• Gamete donation services.
• Any additional fertility-related services or technologies deemed appropriate by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Effective Date

The new amendments are set to take effect one year after the bill is enacted into law. This timeframe allows for the necessary adjustments in policy and procedures to accommodate the expanded benefits.

Overall Impact

By including fertility treatment benefits in the FEHB program, the bill seeks to provide better support for individuals and families facing reproductive challenges. It reflects a legislative effort to address and improve access to necessary healthcare services connected to family building.

Relevant Companies

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