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Bill

MD

Bill

A 5590

Adds storage of sperm and oocytes for certain persons to current health insurance coverage regarding iatrogenic fertility.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Margie Donlon

New Jersey bill mandates health insurance coverage for sperm and egg cell storage costs for patients whose fertility is damaged by medical treatments.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · A 5590

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 5590 expands health insurance coverage in New Jersey to include the storage (cryopreservation) of sperm and egg cells for individuals who experience fertility loss as a side effect of medical treatments. Currently, insurance may cover fertility preservation procedures themselves, but this bill specifically mandates coverage for the ongoing storage costs of these reproductive materials.

Why is this important

Cancer patients, individuals undergoing gender-affirming care, and those receiving other fertility-damaging treatments often use egg or sperm banking to preserve reproductive options before treatment begins. Without insurance coverage for storage costs—which typically run $300-1,500 annually per person—patients face long-term out-of-pocket expenses that can accumulate to thousands of dollars, effectively making fertility preservation inaccessible to lower-income individuals who may need it most.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance cost burden: Insurers will argue this mandate increases premiums for all policyholders to cover a benefit used by a relatively small population, raising affordability concerns
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of "certain persons" is unclear—does it cover all medical treatments causing infertility, or only specific conditions like cancer? This affects how broadly insurers must apply the mandate
  • Duration limits: The bill doesn't specify how long storage must be covered, creating potential disputes over whether insurers must fund indefinite storage or can impose time limits

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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