Family Building FEHB Fairness Act
The Family Building FEHB Fairness Act would require Federal employee health benefit plans (FEHB) to cover a broad set of fertility-related treatments and services for federal employees and their dependents. It adds “fertility treatment benefits” to FEHB coverage and defines what counts as fertility treatment, including preserving gametes or embryos, various forms of artificial insemination, assisted reproductive technology (such as IVF), genetic testing of embryos, fertility medications, and gamete donation. The bill also authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to determine what other fertility-related services might be covered. The changes would take effect one year after enactment. In short, the bill would formalize and broaden FEHB coverage for family-building fertility services.
Key Points
- 1Coverage expansion: FEHB plans would be required to cover a broad list of fertility treatments and related services, including preservation of oocytes/sperm/embryos, artificial insemination, ART (e.g., IVF), embryo genetic testing, fertility medications, and gamete donation.
- 2Broad definition and flexibility: The term “fertility treatment” is defined with a core list and also includes other related services that the OPM Director and HHS Secretary determine appropriate, giving ongoing latitude to expand coverage.
- 3Administrative scope: The requirement applies to FEHB plans for federal employees and their dependents; implementation details would flow through standard FEHB program processes.
- 4Implementation timeline: The amendments become effective one year after the enactment date.
- 5No funding specifics: The bill does not specify funding changes or cost-sharing terms; how plans will implement coverage (copays, caps, or limits) would follow FEHB plan contracts and existing policies.