MS HB853

Health insurance policies covering pregnancy-related benefits must provide coverage for medically necessary infertility diagnosis and treatment expenses, including artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and related procedures, up to a lifetime limit of $25,000 per person, effective July 1, 2023.

Coverage applies to married individuals only (except for fertility preservation to prevent iatrogenic infertility from medical treatments) and must include diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and FDA-approved infertility drugs with the same deductibles and copayments as maternity benefits.

A one-year pilot program establishes infertility coverage for up to 100 eligible State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan participants who have been covered for at least one year, ending July 1, 2024, with a report to the Legislature due by December 1, 2024.

The bill amends Mississippi Code sections 25-15-9 and 83-9-6 to require the state health plan to provide infertility treatment coverage and prohibit health insurance plans from restricting prescription drug coverage for FDA-approved infertility medications.

Self-insured group arrangements are exempt from the infertility coverage requirements, except for the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan pilot program.