CVS's Aetna to broaden fertility coverage

By Amina Niasse

NEW YORK (Reuters) - CVS Health's Aetna health insurance unit will broaden its fertility coverage from Sept. 1 to begin paying for intrauterine insemination, regardless of the patient's fertility status, a move that should to improve access for people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Previously, the insurer covered fertility treatments for couples who proved they had tried to get pregnant for six or 12 months.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The decision comes after Aetna settled a lawsuit filed in May by lead plaintiff Emma Goidel, who claimed the company's policies required her to spend $45,000 on fertility treatments in order to pursue intrauterine insemination.

Couples that could not conceive through heterosexual intercourse had to pay for treatments, according to court documents made public in May as part of a lawsuit.

CONTEXT

Aetna agreed in May to pay $2 million in reimbursement to patients and update policies to cover artificial insemination regardless of sexual orientation.

During intrauterine insemination, sperm is placed into the uterus during the time when a woman is fertile. Unlike IVF which involves multiple fertility treatments, IUI is the primary option for women in same-sex couples who want to conceive and have not experienced reduced fertility.

KEY QUOTE

"This industry-leading policy change is a stake in the ground, reflecting Aetna's support of all who need to use this benefit as a preliminary step in building their family," said Cathy Moffitt, Aetna's chief medical officer.

(Reporting by Amina Niasse; editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot)