Family Building FEHB Fairness Act
The Family Building FEHB Fairness Act would expand and protect access to fertility treatment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. It would add a new category of benefits called “Fertility treatment benefits” within the FEHB framework and define a broad set of services that qualify as fertility treatment. The bill empowers the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to determine what specific services and related items are covered. The changes would take effect one year after enactment. In short, federal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members enrolled in FEHB would gain coverage for a wide range of fertility-related treatments and services, subject to the agencies’ determinations and coordination with health authorities.
Key Points
- 1Adds “Fertility treatment benefits” to the FEHB program under title 5 U.S.C. 8904, expanding the set of covered health services for federal employees and their families.
- 2Broadly defines fertility treatment to include:
- 3- Preservation of oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later use
- 4- Artificial insemination (including intravaginal, intracervical, and intrauterine)
- 5- Assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF
- 6- Genetic testing of embryos
- 7- Fertility medications (prescribed or OTC as indicated)
- 8- Gamete donation
- 9- Other related information, referrals, treatments, procedures, medications, lab services, and technologies as determined appropriate
- 10Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to determine the specific scope and details of coverage.
- 11Takes effect one year after enactment (not immediately), giving time for plan design and implementation.