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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Senate Bill 535
Sponsored by Senator PATTERSON, Representative NERON (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced.The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: The Act makes some health insurance cover some fertility treatments. The Act tells
OHA and DCBS to study access to reproductive treatments and report back to the committee on
health. The Act makes it an emergency. (Flesch Readability Score:60.7).
Requires health insurance coverage of specified fertility services and treatments with exemption
for certain insurers.
Directs the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Consumer and Business Services
to study access to fertility and reproductive endocrinology services and report findings to the in-
terim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health.
Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to infertility; creating new provisions; amending ORS 743B.005; and declaring an emer-
gency.
Whereas according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 12 percent
of women in the United States who are of reproductive age have difficulty becoming pregnant or
carrying a pregnancy to term; and
Whereas infertility is evenly divided between men and women and approximately one-third of
cases of infertility involve both partners being diagnosed or are unexplained; and
Whereas increasing accessibility for infertility treatment will expand health services in this
state and improve the short-term and long-term outcomes for the resulting children and mothers,
which may also reduce health care costs by reducing adverse outcomes; and
Whereas access to insurance coverage reduces health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities
as well as for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2025 Act is added to and made a part of the Insurance Code.
SECTION 2.(1) As used in this section, “infertility” means:
(a) A disease, condition or status that results in a failure to establish a pregnancy or to
carry a pregnancy to a live birth after regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for:
(A) Twelve months for a woman under the age of 35; or
(B) Six months for a woman 35 years of age or older; or
(b) An individual’s inability, without medical intervention, to reproduce either as a single
person or with the person’s partner.
(2) Health benefit plans offered in this state to large or small employers and individual
health benefit plans offered in this state shall reimburse the cost of:
(a) Procedures and medications to address infertility recommended by a licensed treating
practitioner that are:
(A) Based on the practitioner’s physical findings and diagnostic testing and an
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
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individual’s medical history, sexual history, reproductive history and age; and
(B) Consistent with established, published or approved medical practices or professional
guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the American
Society for Reproductive Medicine, or a successor organization.
(b) Procedures recommended by a licensed treating practitioner, including but not limited
to the storage of reproductive specimens for the period of time deemed medically necessary
by the practitioner, that are:
(A) Based on the practitioner’s physical findings and diagnostic testing and an
individual’s medical history, sexual history, reproductive history and age; and
(B) Consistent with established medical practices or professional guidelines published by
the American Society for Reproductive Medicine or the American Society of Clinical
Oncology, or a successor organization, for an individual who is at risk of infertility due to:
(i) A medical condition; or
(ii) An expected medication therapy, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or other medical
treatment that is recognized by medical professionals to cause a risk of infertility.
(3) The coverage required by subsection (2) of this section:
(a) Includes, but is not limited to:
(A) A minimum of three completed oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers in
accordance with guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, or a succes-
sor organization, using single embryo transfer if recommended by a licensed treating prac-
titioner and medically effective.
(B) Intrauterine insemination.
(C) Assisted hatching.
(D) Cryopreservation and thawing of eggs, sperm and embryos.
(E) Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue.
(F) Cryopreservation of testicular tissue.
(G) Embryo biopsy.
(H) Consultation and diagnostic testing.
(I) Fresh and frozen embryo transfers.
(J) Six completed egg retrievals per lifetime, with unlimited embryo transfers in accord-
ance with the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, using single
embryo transfer when recommended and medically appropriate.
(K) In vitro fertilization, including in vitro fertilization using donor eggs, sperm or
embryos, and in vitro fertilization in which the embryo is transferred to a gestational carrier
orsurrogate.
(L) Intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
(M) Medications.
(N) Ovulation induction.
(O) Storage of oocytes, sperm, embryos and tissue.
(P) Surgery, including microsurgical sperm aspiration.
(Q) Medical and laboratory services that reduce excess embryo creation through egg
cryopreservation and thawing.
(b) Must be provided to all beneficiaries under the health benefit plan policy or certif-
icate, including a covered spouse and covered dependents other than spouses, to the same
extent as other pregnancy-related benefits under the plan.
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(4) The health benefit plan may not impose exclusions, limitations or other restrictions
on coverage of:
(a) Medications for the treatment of infertility described in subsection (2) of this section
that are not imposed on other prescription benefits under the plan.
(b) Procedures described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section:
(A) Based on an enrollee’s participation in fertility services provided by or to a third
party.
(B) That do not apply to other covered procedures under the plan.
(5) Subsection (4) of this section does not permit a health benefit plan to require step
therapy for services described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section that are determined
by a treating practitioner to be medically necessary.
(6) This section is exempt from ORS 743A.001.
SECTION 3. (1) The Oregon Health Authority, in collaboration with the Department of
Consumer and Business Services, shall study access to fertility and reproductive
endocrinology services by residents of this state, including:
(a) Availability and utilization of fertility and reproductive endocrinology services in the
commercial health insurance markets, self-insured health plans and the state medical as-
sistanceprogram;
(b) Financial and access barriers to obtaining fertility and reproductive endocrinology
services including assisted reproductive technology; and
(c) Inequities in access to fertility and reproductive endocrinology services based on race,
ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, marital status, immigration status and
disability.
(2) No later than September 15, 2026, the authority shall report to the interim commit-
tees of the Legislative Assembly related to health, in the manner provided in ORS 192.245,
the findings of the study described in subsection (1) of this section and recommendations for:
(a) Reducing financial and access barriers to fertility and reproductive endocrinology
services for residents of this state;
(b) Strategies to promote equal access to fertility and reproductive endocrinology ser-
vices, including protections against discrimination in the provision of fertility and reproduc-
tive endocrinology services;
(c) A plan to provide equitable access to assisted reproductive technology for all residents
of this state;
(d) The feasibility of obtaining federal financial participation in or other federal resources
to support the plan described in paragraph (c) of this subsection; and
(e) Legislative changes necessary to implement the recommendations under this sub-
section.
SECTION 4. ORS 743B.005 is amended to read:
743B.005. For purposes of ORS 743.004, 743.007, 743.022, 743.416, 743.417, 743.535, 743A.101,
743B.003 to 743B.127, 743B.109, 743B.128, 743B.250 and 743B.323 and section 2 of this 2025 Act:
(1) “Actuarial certification” means a written statement by a member of the American Academy
of Actuaries or other individual acceptable to the Director of the Department of Consumer and
Business Services that a carrier is in compliance with the provisions of ORS 743B.012 based upon
the person’s examination, including a review of the appropriate records and of the actuarial as-
sumptions and methods used by the carrier in establishing premium rates for small employer health
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benefitplans.
(2) “Affiliate” of, or person “affiliated” with, a specified person means any carrier who, directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common
control with a specified person. For purposes of this definition, “control” has the meaning given that
term in ORS 732.548.
(3) “Affiliation period” means, under the terms of a group health benefit plan issued by a health
care service contractor, a period:
(a) That is applied uniformly and without regard to any health status related factors to an
enrollee or late enrollee;
(b) That must expire before any coverage becomes effective under the plan for the enrollee or
late enrollee;
(c) During which no premium shall be charged to the enrollee or late enrollee; and
(d) That begins on the enrollee’s or late enrollee’s first date of eligibility for coverage and runs
concurrently with any eligibility waiting period under the plan.
(4) “Bona fide association” means an association that:
(a) Has been in active existence for at least five years;
(b) Has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance;
(c) Does not condition membership in the association on any factor relating to the health status
of an individual or the individual’s dependent or employee;
(d) Makes health insurance coverage that is offered through the association available to all
members of the association regardless of the health status of the member or individuals who are
eligible for coverage through the member;
(e) Does not make health insurance coverage that is offered through the association available
other than in connection with a member of the association;
(f) Has a constitution and bylaws; and
(g) Is not owned or controlled by a carrier, producer or affiliate of a carrier or producer.
(5) “Carrier” means any person who provides health benefit plans in this state, including:
(a) A licensed insurance company;
(b) A health care service contractor;
(c) A health maintenance organization;
(d) An association or group of employers that provides benefits by means of a multiple employer
welfare arrangement and that:
(A) Is subject to ORS 750.301 to 750.341; or
(B) Is fully insured and otherwise exempt under ORS 750.303 (4) but elects to be governed by
ORS 743B.010 to 743B.013; or
(e) Any other person or corporation responsible for the payment of benefits or provision of ser-
vices.
(6) “Dependent” means the spouse or child of an eligible employee, subject to applicable terms
of the health benefit plan covering the employee.
(7) “Eligible employee” means an employee who is eligible for coverage under a group health
benefitplan.
(8) “Employee” means any individual employed by an employer.
(9) “Enrollee” means an employee, dependent of the employee or an individual otherwise eligible
for a group or individual health benefit plan who has enrolled for coverage under the terms of the
plan.
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(10) “Exchange” means the health insurance exchange as defined in ORS 741.300.
(11) “Exclusion period” means a period during which specified treatments or services are ex-
cluded from coverage.
(12) “Financial impairment” means that a carrier is not insolvent and is:
(a) Considered by the director to be potentially unable to fulfill its contractual obligations; or
(b) Placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(13)(a) “Geographic average rate” means the arithmetical average of the lowest premium and the
corresponding highest premium to be charged by a carrier in a geographic area established by the
director for the carrier’s:
(A) Group health benefit plans offered to small employers; or
(B) Individual health benefit plans.
(b) “Geographic average rate” does not include premium differences that are due to differences
in benefit design, age, tobacco use or family composition.
(14) “Grandfathered health plan” has the meaning prescribed by rule by the United States Sec-
retaries of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 18011(e) that
is in effect on January 1, 2017.
(15) “Group eligibility waiting period” means, with respect to a group health benefit plan, the
period of employment or membership with the group that a prospective enrollee must complete be-
fore plan coverage begins.
(16)(a) “Health benefit plan” means any:
(A) Hospital expense, medical expense or hospital or medical expense policy or certificate;
(B) Subscriber contract of a health care service contractor as defined in ORS 750.005; or
(C) Plan provided by a multiple employer welfare arrangement or by another benefit arrange-
ment defined in the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, to the
extent that the plan is subject to state regulation.
(b) “Health benefit plan” does not include:
(A) Coverage for accident only, specific disease or condition only, credit or disability income;
(B) Coverage of Medicare services pursuant to contracts with the federal government;
(C) Medicare supplement insurance policies;
(D) Coverage of TRICARE services pursuant to contracts with the federal government;
(E) Benefits delivered through a flexible spending arrangement established pursuant to section
125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, when the benefits are provided in addition
to a group health benefit plan;
(F) Separately offered long term care insurance, including, but not limited to, coverage of nurs-
ing home care, home health care and community-based care;
(G) Independent, noncoordinated, hospital-only indemnity insurance or other fixed indemnity in-
surance;
(H) Short term health insurance policies;
(I) Dental only coverage;
(J) Vision only coverage;
(K) Stop-loss coverage that meets the requirements of ORS 742.065;
(L) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;
(M) Insurance arising out of a workers’ compensation or similar law;
(N) Automobile medical payment insurance or insurance under which benefits are payable with
or without regard to fault and that is statutorily required to be contained in any liability insurance
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policy or equivalent self-insurance; or
(O) Any employee welfare benefit plan that is exempt from state regulation because of the fed-
eral Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(17) “Individual health benefit plan” means a health benefit plan:
(a) That is issued to an individual policyholder; or
(b) That provides individual coverage through a trust, association or similar group, regardless
of the situs of the policy or contract.
(18) “Initial enrollment period” means a period of at least 30 days following commencement of
the first eligibility period for an individual.
(19) “Late enrollee” means an individual who enrolls in a group health benefit plan subsequent
to the initial enrollment period during which the individual was eligible for coverage but declined
to enroll. However, an eligible individual shall not be considered a late enrollee if:
(a) The individual qualifies for a special enrollment period in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 300gg
or as prescribed by rule by the Department of Consumer and Business Services;
(b) The individual applies for coverage during an open enrollment period;
(c) A court issues an order that coverage be provided for a spouse or minor child under an
employee’s employer sponsored health benefit plan and request for enrollment is made within 30
days after issuance of the court order;
(d) The individual is employed by an employer that offers multiple health benefit plans and the
individual elects a different health benefit plan during an open enrollment period; or
(e) The individual’s coverage under Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, Indian Health Service or a
publicly sponsored or subsidized health plan, including, but not limited to, the medical assistance
program under ORS chapter 414, has been involuntarily terminated within 63 days after applying for
coverage in a group health benefit plan.
(20) “Multiple employer welfare arrangement” means a multiple employer welfare arrangement
as defined in section 3 of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
29 U.S.C. 1002, that is subject to ORS 750.301 to 750.341.
(21) “Preexisting condition exclusion” means a limitation or exclusion of benefits or a denial of
coverage based on a medical condition being present before the effective date of coverage or before
the date coverage is denied, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was
recommended or received for the condition before the date of coverage or denial of coverage.
(22) “Premium” includes insurance premiums or other fees charged for a health benefit plan,
including the costs of benefits paid or reimbursements made to or on behalf of enrollees covered by
the plan.
(23) “Rating period” means the 12-month calendar period for which premium rates established
by a carrier are in effect, as determined by the carrier.
(24) “Representative” does not include an insurance producer or an employee or authorized
representative of an insurance producer or carrier.
(25)(a) “Short term health insurance policy” means a policy of health insurance that is in effect
for a period of three months or less, including the term of a renewal of the policy.
(b) As used in this subsection, “term of a renewal” includes the term of a new short term health
insurance policy issued by an insurer to a policyholder no later than 60 days after the expiration
of a short term health insurance policy issued by the insurer to the policyholder.
(26) “Small employer” means an employer who employed an average of at least one but not more
than 50 full-time equivalent employees on business days during the preceding calendar year and who
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employs at least one full-time equivalent employee on the first day of the plan year, determined in
accordance with a methodology prescribed by the Department of Consumer and Business Services
byrule.
SECTION 5. Section 2 of this 2025 Act applies to policies or certificates issued, renewed
or extended on or after January 1, 2026.
SECTION 6.The amendments to ORS 743B.005 by section 4 of this 2025 Act become op-
erative on January 1, 2026.
SECTION 7.Section 3 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2027.
SECTION 8.This 2025 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2025 Act takes effect
on its passage.
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