Massachusetts' new fertility preservation law
Oct 08, 2024
BOSTON (WWLP) - Massachusetts now has a law that significantly expands insurance coverage for fertility preservation services.
Fertility preservation services--like procurement and storage of reproductive material--help people keep their ability to have biological children in the future.
Before this law passed at the end of the legislative session in late July, insurance companies primarily provided these services for cancer patients. Now, in addition to cancer and similar patients, insurance companies are mandated to provide coverage for fertility preservation for people whose fertility is impacted by medical or genetic conditions.
Fertility Within Reach is a non-profit that has been fighting for this legislation for 11 years, and they told 22News how this new bill will help.
"Fertility preservation is going to help patients with medical conditions like stage 4 endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve, polycystic ovarian syndrome...as well as somebody with a genetic predisposition," said Davina Fankhauser, the co-founder and executive director.
Fankhauser says this policy will end up saving the insurance companies money down the line. "It can actually save the patient and the insurance company a lot of time, heartache, and expense," she said.
Western Massachusetts parents and stakeholders can voice their opinions at a public hearing on October 16. The Microsoft teams meeting is on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 1PM.
Click Join the meeting now or call 1-857-327-9245 and enter the meeting password of 258800083# to participate.
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