Federal Law to mandate (force) insurance companies to cover infertility Tx

here is link to sign petition

http://www.petitiononline.com/FI200507/petition.html

Google Family Building Act of 2005 (HR.735)
to see the bill

Maybe it will get passed and Insurance companies will have to cover IVF, etc.

[YvetteY]

Here's link to read the bill.  It was just introduced to congress

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-735

[SloCalGal23]

I went right away and sighned it. Great post!

[sananduri]

Anything like this for Canada??? : )

[MeganG]

I added my signature and e-mailed the link to DH and some of our family members.  I think it stinks that they won't help with these- a lot of infertility treatments are safe, inexpensive, and non invasive but insurance companies link them all together- its really sad.  Besides, what about all the other side effects like increased chances of uterine and breast cancer in women who don't have children??  How about depression treatments that stem from being infertile?!?!?  I am glad someone posted this because this issue has bothered me for a long time!

[babysomeday]

Thanks, I just signed it :)

[dainsey]

Thanks I signed it also!  This really needs to get passed!

[shishka]

Thank you. I just signed  for me and DH.

[mommyluv02]

thank you i also signed it

[shesherm]

My girlfriend who lives in Illinois said it is mandatory for insurances to cover it there....she got all hers covered..DH and I may have to move to Illinois...

yeah it sucks because I NEVER use my insurance and pay all that money each montha nd the 1 thing I would need coverage for is not covered....ERRRR
going to sign it NOW

[BabyforLori]

I think this is a great idea, and I will sign it as well.  

I learned this the hard way, so I thought I would pass it along.  I work in Illinois and the law firm that I work at is totally self insured.  Meaning, that when the premiums come in, my firm keeps the premiums paid by each employee and they also pay out claims all from within the firm.  In other words, my firm acts like its own insurance company.  If the claims are less than the premiums, they pocket the money.  This is a "kind-of" investment for companies due to such high premiums which are paid to outside insurance companies. The risk comes if the claims are higher than the premiums, so they limit their risk by not offering certain benefits.  Guess what - IVF and fertility treatments are benefits often eliminated due to the high costs associated.  And, when you are totally self-insured the federal law does not apply to them so they can refuse to cover IVF and fertility treatments.  It is only the companies who are not self insured and who rely soley on the insurance companies for payments are the companies who are mandated by this law.  SO, IF YOU WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES YOU HEALTH INSURANCE OR IF YOU ARE THINKING OF SWITCHING JOBS - ASK IF THEY ARE TOTALLY SELF INSURED.  

No one told me this (and they certainly do not offer you this information) so, when I accepted the job at this firm and I found out that IVF was my only option, I thought, no problem, big firm, great insurance, this will be a breeze.  BUT, I found this information out the hard way.  Luckily, my husbands firm DOES cover IVF and I was able to jump on there.

I hope this information helps.  But, do sign the petition for the federal law protection, because not all companies or firms are self insured and are mandated by this law.

[YvetteY]

Good point of self insured companies - lots of time school districts.   Self insured can do what ever they want!!

Spread the news!!