Senate approves three-year PEHP pilot to cover $4,000 of infertility treatment costs

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate approved a three-year pilot program to let the Public Employees Health Plan (PEHP) offer up to $4,000 in indemnity coverage for infertility treatment for covered families.

Senator Escamilla, sponsor of First Substitute Senate Bill 181, told the chamber the pilot is modeled after prior health‑plan pilots and would allow families to use $4,000 toward assisted reproductive technology or related services. “So we're going back to a pilot program with PEHP,” she said, describing prior pilots such as autism coverage.

On the floor, several senators pressed fiscal questions. One senator noted the fiscal note estimated “almost $350,000 a year will be taken out of our reserve fund for our insurance” and argued that if the program is to be funded the general fund would be a preferred source rather than drawing down PEHP reserves.

Sponsor Escamilla and supporters responded that prior practice has used PEHP reserves for pilots and that PEHP reports back on costs year by year. “We've done it with the autism pilot program,” the sponsor said, noting BEHP (benefits administrators) had estimated the cost and that the three-year pilot would provide data for lawmakers and the retirement committee to decide on broader coverage.

Senators debated funding and whether the reserve draw was appropriate; several senators expressed support for testing the benefit, while some opposed using reserves without explicit appropriations. The Senate adopted the bill on a roll-call vote, 21 yeas, 5 nays, 3 absent, and sent it to the House for further consideration.