S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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10137
I N A S S E M B L Y
May 12, 2016
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Introduced by M. of A. SIMOTAS -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to insurance coverage of
in vitro fertilization and other fertility preservation treatments
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 3242
to read as follows:
S 3242. IN VITRO FERTILIZATION AND FERTILITY-RELATED PROVISIONS IN
POLICIES. (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, NO
POLICY OF GROUP OR BLANKET ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE SHALL BE DELIV-
ERED OR ISSUED FOR DELIVERY IN THIS STATE TO A GROUP UNLESS IT CONTAINS
IN SUBSTANCE THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS OR PROVISIONS WHICH IN THE OPINION
OF THE SUPERINTENDENT ARE MORE FAVORABLE TO THE HOLDERS OF SUCH CERTIF-
ICATES OR NOT LESS FAVORABLE TO THE HOLDERS OF SUCH CERTIFICATES AND
MORE FAVORABLE TO POLICYHOLDERS:
(1) COVERAGE OF DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES, INCLUDING
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, USED IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND
TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "INFERTILITY" MEANS A
DISEASE CHARACTERIZED BY THE INCAPACITY TO IMPREGNATE ANOTHER PERSON OR
TO CONCEIVE, AS DIAGNOSED (A) BY A PHYSICIAN LICENSED TO PRACTICE MEDI-
CINE IN THE STATE, OR (B) BY THE FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A CLINICAL PREG-
NANCY AFTER TWELVE MONTHS OF REGULAR, UNPROTECTED SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.
(2) COVERAGE OF MEDICALLY NECESSARY EXPENSES FOR STANDARD FERTILITY
PRESERVATION SERVICES WHEN A NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT MAY DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY CAUSE IATROGENIC INFERTILITY TO A COVERED PERSON. AS USED IN
THIS SECTION, "IATROGENIC INFERTILITY" MEANS AN IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY
BY SURGERY, RADIATION, CHEMOTHERAPY OR OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT AFFECTING
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OR PROCESSES.
POLICIES WHICH COVER HOSPITAL SERVICES ONLY, MEDICAL OR SURGICAL
SERVICES ONLY, OR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ONLY, SHALL PROVIDE FERTILITY-RE-
LATED COVERAGE TO THE EXTENT THEY FALL WITHIN THE CATEGORIES OF SERVICES
OTHERWISE COVERED.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14892-01-6
A. 10137 2
(B) IN DETERMINING COVERAGE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, AN INSURER SHALL
NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S EXPECTED LENGTH OF LIFE, PRES-
ENT OR PREDICTED DISABILITY, DEGREE OF MEDICAL DEPENDENCY, QUALITY OF
LIFE, OR OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS, NOR BASED ON PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS,
INCLUDING AGE, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR MARITAL STATUS.
(C) THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO GROUP OR BLAN-
KET ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES ISSUED IN THE SMALL GROUP
MARKET.
S 2. Subparagraph (C) of paragraph 6 of subsection (k) of section
3221 of the insurance law, as amended by section 1 of part K of chapter
82 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
(C) Coverage of diagnostic and treatment procedures, including
prescription drugs, used in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility
as required by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph shall be
provided in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph.
(i) [Coverage shall be provided for persons whose ages range from
twenty-one through forty-four years, provided that nothing herein shall
preclude the provision of coverage to persons whose age is below or
above such range.
(ii)] Diagnosis and treatment of infertility shall be prescribed as
part of a physician's overall plan of care and consistent with the
guidelines for coverage as referenced in this subparagraph.
[(iii)] (II) Coverage may be subject to co-payments, coinsurance and
deductibles as may be deemed appropriate by the superintendent and as
are consistent with those established for other benefits within a given
policy.
[(iv)] (III) Coverage shall be limited to those individuals who have
been previously covered under the policy for a period of not less than
twelve months, provided that for the purposes of this subparagraph
"period of not less than twelve months" shall be determined by calculat-
ing such time from either the date the insured was first covered under
the existing policy or from the date the insured was first covered by a
previously in-force converted policy, whichever is earlier.
[(v)] (IV) Coverage shall not be required to include the diagnosis and
treatment of infertility in connection with: (I) [in vitro fertiliza-
tion, gamete intrafallopian tube transfers or zygote intrafallopian tube
transfers; (II)] the reversal of elective sterilizations; [(III)] (II)
sex change procedures; [(IV)] (III) cloning; or [(V)] (IV) medical or
surgical services or procedures that are deemed to be experimental in
accordance with clinical guidelines referenced in clause [(vi)] (V) of
this subparagraph.
[(vi)] (V) The superintendent, in consultation with the commissioner
of health, shall promulgate regulations which shall stipulate the guide-
lines and standards which shall be used in carrying out the provisions
of this subparagraph, which shall include:
(I) The determination of "infertility" in accordance with the [stand-
ards and guidelines established and adopted by the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproduc-
tive Medicine] DEFINITIONS OF INFERTILITY AND IATROGENIC INFERTILITY IN
PARAGRAPHS ONE AND TWO OF SUBSECTION (A) OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO
HUNDRED FORTY-TWO OF THIS CHAPTER;
(II) The identification of experimental procedures and treatments not
covered for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility determined in
accordance with the standards and guidelines established and adopted by
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American
Society for Reproductive Medicine;
A. 10137 3
(III) The identification of the required training, experience and
other standards for health care providers for the provision of proce-
dures and treatments for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility
determined in accordance with the standards and guidelines established
and adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine; and
(IV) The determination of appropriate medical candidates by the treat-
ing physician in accordance with the standards and guidelines estab-
lished and adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecol-
ogists and/or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
S 3. Paragraph 3 of subsection (s) of section 4303 of the insurance
law, as amended by section 2 of part K of chapter 82 of the laws of
2002, is amended to read as follows:
(3) Coverage of diagnostic and treatment procedures, including
prescription drugs used in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility as
required by paragraphs one and two of this subsection shall be provided
in accordance with this paragraph.
(A) [Coverage shall be provided for persons whose ages range from
twenty-one through forty-four years, provided that nothing herein shall
preclude the provision of coverage to persons whose age is below or
above such range.
(B)] Diagnosis and treatment of infertility shall be prescribed as
part of a physician's overall plan of care and consistent with the
guidelines for coverage as referenced in this paragraph.
[(C)] (B) Coverage may be subject to co-payments, coinsurance and
deductibles as may be deemed appropriate by the superintendent and as
are consistent with those established for other benefits within a given
policy.
[(D)] (C) Coverage shall be limited to those individuals who have been
previously covered under the policy for a period of not less than twelve
months, provided that for the purposes of this paragraph "period of not
less than twelve months" shall be determined by calculating such time
from either the date the insured was first covered under the existing
policy or from the date the insured was first covered by a previously
in-force converted policy, whichever is earlier.
[(E)] (D) Coverage shall not be required to include the diagnosis and
treatment of infertility in connection with: (i) [in vitro fertiliza-
tion, gamete intrafallopian tube transfers or zygote intrafallopian tube
transfers; (ii)] the reversal of elective sterilizations; [(iii)] (II)
sex change procedures; [(iv)] (III) cloning; or [(v)] (IV) medical or
surgical services or procedures that are deemed to be experimental in
accordance with clinical guidelines referenced in subparagraph [(F)] (E)
of this paragraph.
[(F)] (E) The superintendent, in consultation with the commissioner of
health, shall promulgate regulations which shall stipulate the guide-
lines and standards which shall be used in carrying out the provisions
of this paragraph, which shall include:
(i) The determination of "infertility" in accordance with the [stand-
ards and guidelines established and adopted by the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproduc-
tive Medicine] DEFINITIONS OF INFERTILITY AND IATROGENIC INFERTILITY IN
PARAGRAPHS ONE AND TWO OF SUBSECTION (A) OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO
HUNDRED FORTY-TWO OF THIS CHAPTER;
(ii) The identification of experimental procedures and treatments not
covered for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility determined in
accordance with the standards and guidelines established and adopted by
A. 10137 4
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American
Society for Reproductive Medicine;
(iii) The identification of the required training, experience and
other standards for health care providers for the provision of proce-
dures and treatments for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility
determined in accordance with the standards and guidelines established
and adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine; and
(iv) The determination of appropriate medical candidates by the treat-
ing physician in accordance with the standards and guidelines estab-
lished and adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecol-
ogists and/or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.