Mandates all insurance contracts, plans or policies provide insurance coverage for the expense of diagnosing and treating infertility, for women between the ages of twenty-five (25) and forty-two (42) years.

Rhode Island Senate Bill: Infertility Insurance Coverage Mandate

This bill would require all health insurance plans sold in Rhode Island to cover the costs of diagnosing and treating infertility. Under this proposal, insurance companies could not exclude or deny coverage for infertility-related medical care. This means that tests to identify the cause of infertility, as well as treatments to address it, would need to be included as part of standard insurance coverage.

The bill specifically applies to women between the ages of 25 and 42. Women in that age range who are experiencing infertility would be able to use their health insurance to help pay for related medical services, rather than paying entirely out of pocket. The bill applies broadly to all insurance contracts, plans, and policies, meaning it would affect a wide range of insurance products — not just a specific type of plan.

This legislation would primarily affect women in the covered age range who are dealing with infertility challenges, as well as the insurance companies that would be required to expand their coverage. It could also have an indirect effect on employers and other groups that provide health insurance, since their plans would need to meet this new requirement. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.