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HB 588

GOVERNMENT-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 588 mandates health insurers in Georgia to cover fertility diagnostics, treatments, and preservation, improving access for individuals facing infertility.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 588

Summary of House Bill 588: Insurance Coverage for Fertility Services

Bill Number: HB 588
Introduced On: February 21, 2025
Current Status: House Second Readers
Authors: Representatives Drenner, Cannon, Au, and Park

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 588 aims to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to require health insurers to provide coverage for fertility diagnostic care, treatment, and preservation services. The bill seeks to improve access to fertility-related healthcare for individuals and couples facing infertility or at risk of fertility impairment due to medical conditions or treatments.

Key Provisions

Coverage Requirements

  • Effective Date: Coverage must be provided starting January 1, 2026.
  • Services Covered: Insurers must cover:
    1. Fertility Diagnostic Care: Includes procedures, medications, genetic testing, and counseling related to fertility.
    2. Fertility Treatment: Services aimed at achieving pregnancy that results in a live birth.
    3. Fertility Preservation Services: Procedures to preserve fertility for individuals with medical conditions or those undergoing treatments that may impair fertility.

Specific Coverage Details

  • Insurers are required to provide at least three complete egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers from those retrievals.
  • Coverage for fertility preservation is mandated for individuals with medical or genetic conditions that pose a risk to fertility.

Limitations on Insurer Practices

  • Insurers cannot impose waiting periods or use prior diagnoses to limit coverage.
  • No restrictions based on the use of donor gametes, embryos, or surrogacy.
  • Insurers must not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics.

Exclusions

  • The bill does not require coverage for:
    1. Experimental fertility procedures.
    2. Nonmedical costs related to donor gametes, embryos, or surrogacy.

Implementation and Regulation

  • The Commissioner of Insurance will adopt rules for the implementation of this bill, including guidelines for cost-sharing and benefit design.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Covered Persons: Individuals and couples facing infertility or at risk of fertility impairment.
  • Insurers: All health benefit policies executed, delivered, or renewed in Georgia after January 1, 2026, will be required to comply with these provisions.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill has passed the House First Readers stage and is currently in the House Second Readers stage as of February 26, 2025.
  • The provisions will apply to all relevant insurance policies starting from the specified effective date.

Conclusion

House Bill 588 represents a significant step towards ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for fertility-related healthcare in Georgia. By mandating coverage for diagnostic care, treatment, and preservation services, the bill aims to alleviate the financial burden on individuals and couples seeking to conceive or preserve their fertility.

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

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