Mandates Medicaid coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment.
Impact
The bill's enactment is expected to significantly impact state laws regarding reproductive healthcare, specifically providing a structured framework for Medicaid to cover fertility-related services. This change aims to improve healthcare accessibility for individuals facing infertility, particularly those who may not have been able to afford these services otherwise. Furthermore, it requires that coverage is provided without discrimination based on various factors such as gender identity, marital status, and race, promoting inclusivity within healthcare access.
Summary
House Bill 5771 aims to amend the Rhode Island Medicaid Reform Act of 2008 by mandating Medicaid coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatments. The provisions specified in the bill include coverage for medically necessary ovulation-enhancing medications, treatments involved in intrauterine insemination, and in cases where intrauterine insemination is contraindicated, in-vitro fertilization. This expansion of coverage is set to begin on January 1, 2026, ensuring that individuals facing infertility have access to these essential services.
Contention
While supporters argue that the bill addresses a critical need for fertility services and enhances healthcare equity, some concerns may arise regarding the potential financial burdens on the state's Medicaid system and the broader implications of mandating such coverage on state resources. Additionally, dialogue around the adequacy of coverage for specific fertility treatments and whether there could be restrictions based on medical necessity might emerge. The requirement for a consultation report to be submitted by the department to assess in-vitro fertilization under federal law suggests a careful approach towards implementing this new coverage, indicating that there may be ongoing discussions regarding the specifics of what services will be included.
Mandates all insurance plans provide insurance coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility for women between the ages of 25 and 42 years including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Mandates insurance policies, provides coverage to diagnose & treat infertility for women between 25 & 42 years, including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Mandates insurance policies, provides coverage to diagnose & treat infertility for women between 25 & 42 years, including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Mandates all insurance contracts, plans or policies provide insurance coverage for the expense of testing and treating infertility, including preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Outlines the insurance coverage standards, protocols and guidelines for medically necessary treatment of individuals with mental health or substance abuse use disorders.
Establishing the pregnancy compassion program to provide resources and promote childbirth to women facing unplanned pregnancies, establishing the pregnancy compassion awareness program to promote public awareness of available resources; appropriating $4,000,000 per year from the state general fund toward such program and establishing a fee on the In God We Trust and the choose life license plates and using such fees to provide additional revenue for such program.
Individual income tax: credit; credit for contributions to certain pregnancy resource centers; provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 259.
Requires DOH to expand services provided under plan to improve perinatal mental health services and health insurers to cover costs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening.