Montana committee advances bill requiring insurers to cover IVF, sparking cost debate

Representative Staffman, sponsor of House Bill 565 and a lawmaker from House District 59 in South Bozeman, opened the hearing saying the bill "essentially provides mandatory insurance coverage for fertility treatment up to and including IVF." The committee voted in executive action to advance the bill to the floor, 12-9.

The bill would require insurers doing business in Montana to cover diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF, and sets a $40,000 lifetime cap per individual. In his opening remarks Staffman cited national fertility trends and said the cap would fund roughly one-and-a-half to two rounds of treatment for many patients.

Why it matters: Supporters — including patients, a reproductive specialist and advocacy groups — described out-of-pocket costs, long travel, and emotional strain. "Having a fertility related condition isn't distinct from any other medical event," testified Ann Angus of Bozeman, who said she is currently pregnant via IVF. "That is why I ask the committee to vote yes on 565."

Clinical perspective: Dr.…