Senate Bill 729 requires Large Group healthcare service plans and insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, to cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), while Small Group plans are only required to offer coverage of fertility treatments, included IVF.
Key Implementation Details:
Effective Date
Coverage updates mandated by SB 729 will be effective for new and renewing groups starting July 1, 2025.
Large Group (Fully Insured, 101+ Participants)
Coverage is required for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
Benefits include artificial insemination, GIFT, IVF, and ZIFT, with up to three (3) oocyte retrieval cycles per lifetime and unlimited embryo transfers.
Includes all necessary covered services that prepare members for these procedures, including prescription drugs, professional services, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment by injections.
No lifetime maximum limitation on covered infertility services.
Cost-sharing for infertility services aligns with applicable service type listed in Schedule of Benefits. For example, if an infertility service requires an office visit, the office visit copayment will apply.
Infertility prescription drugs are subject to the applicable Tier 1, 2, or 3 drug copayments as listed in the Schedule of Benefits.
Coverage applies only to Health Net Members.
Large Group Renewal Letters have been updated to reflect SB 729 coverage changes.
California Large Custom Groups
Coverage includes artificial insemination, GIFT, IVF, and ZIFT, with three (3) or more oocyte retrieval cycles per lifetime and unlimited embryo transfers.
Includes all necessary covered services that prepare members for these procedures, including prescription drugs, professional services, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment by injections.
No lifetime maximum limitations on covered infertility services.
Cost-sharing for infertility services aligns with applicable service type listed in the Schedule of Benefits. For example, if an infertility service requires an office visit, the office visit copayment will apply.
Infertility prescription drugs are subject to the applicable Tier 1, 2, or 3 drug copayments as listed in the Schedule of Benefits.
Coverage applies only to Health Net Members.
CalPERS plan implementation is delayed until July 1, 2027.
Small Business Group (SBG)
Plans are available with or without infertility benefits, with the latter offered at a lower cost. The following outlines the options available to small groups
Benefits include artificial insemination, GIFT, IVF, and ZIFT, with three (3) or more oocyte retrieval cycles per lifetime and unlimited embryo transfers.
Includes all necessary covered services that prepare members for these procedures, including prescription drugs, professional services, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment by injections.
No lifetime maximum limitations on covered infertility services.
Cost-sharing for infertility services aligns with applicable service type listed in the Schedule of Benefits. For example, if an infertility service requires an office visit, the office visit copayment will apply.
Infertility prescription drugs are subject to the applicable Tier 1, 2, or 3 drug copayments as listed in the Schedule of Benefits.
Coverage applies only to Health Net Members.