Offering IVF coverage through FEHB could help the federal government compete as an employer, said a letter signed by 170 lawmakers. Image: happycreator/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffA group of more than 170 House and Senate members has asked the OPM to boost coverage for fertility treatment in the FEHB program in its ongoing negotiations with carriers for terms and premiums in the program for 2025.
The letter asks for an expansion of that coverage, which has been a priority of the Biden administration for the FEHB, with 24 plan options now providing for varying levels of assisted reproductive technology services, including in one national plan. Carriers further are required to cover in vitro fertilization medications for three cycles annually.
“Requiring FEHB carriers to cover IVF medical treatments and medications for plan year 2025 would reflect the reality that IVF is one of the most effective treatments for families struggling with infertility, and growing in popularity, with its usage nearly doubling from 2012 to 2021. Importantly, it would also sharpen the federal government’s competitive advantage in competing for talented workers, as surveys demonstrate that employees experiencing infertility without adequate IVF coverage will express dissatisfaction with their employer and seek new professional opportunities,” the letter said.
It added: “As our nation’s largest employer-sponsored group health insurance plan, FEHB is a national trend setter for employer-sponsored coverage choices and making IVF coverage a default requirement would accelerate the adoption of pro-family policies beyond FEHB to ensure that more workers with employer-sponsored coverage are able to access IVF medical treatments.”
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