Expands insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jessica Scarcella-Spanton says this is needed

For individuals who experience infertility issues, especially those with endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), in vitro fertiliza- tion (IVF) is a critical treatment that can assist in becoming pregnant. 1 Individuals and/or couples seeking repeated IVF treatment, however, face extremely high costs for the treatment. As of 2020, New York State requires insurance coverage for three cycles of IVF treatment. This bill expands that limitation because more than three cycles may be necessary to produce a pregnancy. The decision to pursue more than three cycles of IVF treatment should be a medical decision made by patients and health- care providers, not insurance companies. Cost, income, insurance coverage, and accessibility are a few of the factors that may bar or discourage many from seeking IVF or other fertility services. In New York State, IVF treatment costs can range from around $5,769 to over $30,000, with a single IVF treatment costing an average of $24,000.2 As IVF treatment recommendations can vary among patients, so too do. out-of-pocket costs. Costs for medications, the need for donor eggs and more can add hundreds or thousands more to medical expenses.3 On average, fertility specialists recommend that patients undergo 3-4 cycles of IVF4 before discussing alternative options; often more than one cycle is needed to increase a patient's chance of becoming preg- nant.5 A doctor may recommend more than the average in cases where a patient has been diagnosed with infertility due to fibroid tumors, uterine abnormalities, or ovarian dysfunction.6 A UK medical study reported that upon increasing the number of IVF cycles, there was an increase in cumulative live-birth rate.? Women under 40 years of age who underwent one IVF cycle showed 32.3% cumulative live birth-rate; after undergoing six IVF cycles, cumulative live-birth rate increased to 68.4% (for "prognostic-adjusted estimates").8 This legislation is necessary to ensure more affordable and equitable access to IVF for New Yorkers and puts the decisions for continued treatment where it belongs - between patients and their health care practitioners - giving patients a greater chance of starting a family.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.