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Bill

HB 94

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kirstin Kahaloa

House Bill 94 mandates health insurance in Georgia to cover fertility preservation for patients facing infertility due to cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus treatments.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · HB 94

Summary of House Bill 94 (HB 94)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 94 (HB 94) aims to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to require certain health benefit policies to provide coverage for fertility preservation services. This coverage is specifically for individuals undergoing medically necessary treatments for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus that may impair fertility.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces a new Code section (33-24-59.34) that outlines the following key provisions:

  1. Definitions:

    • Health Benefit Policy: Any individual or group plan providing major medical benefits, excluding state-executed plans and self-funded employer plans.
    • Iatrogenic Infertility: Infertility caused by medically necessary treatments for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus.
    • Medically Necessary Treatment: Treatments that may cause infertility, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical removal of reproductive organs.
    • Standard Fertility Preservation Services: Procedures such as egg, sperm, embryo, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

  2. Coverage Requirements:

    • All health benefit policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, must cover expenses for standard fertility preservation services when treatments may cause iatrogenic infertility.
    • Coverage includes evaluation expenses, laboratory assessments, medications, and treatments related to fertility preservation, as well as storage of gametes for up to one year.

  3. Exclusions and Limitations:

    • Costs for gamete storage beyond one year may be excluded.
    • Policies may impose age restrictions and lifetime limits per procedure.
    • Coverage is limited to nonexperimental procedures.

  4. Cost-Sharing:

    • The benefits provided under this section will be subject to the same deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment provisions as other covered benefits, ensuring no special limitations are imposed on fertility preservation services.

  5. Regulatory Authority:

    • The Commissioner of Insurance is tasked with promulgating rules and regulations to implement these provisions in line with professional medical guidelines.

Affected Parties

  • Insurers: All entities providing health benefit policies in Georgia will need to comply with the new coverage requirements.
  • Patients: Individuals undergoing treatments for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus will benefit from the mandated coverage for fertility preservation services.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: January 17, 2025
  • Passed House: February 27, 2025
  • Passed Senate: March 31, 2025
  • Signed by Governor: May 1, 2025
  • Effective Date: May 1, 2025

Conclusion

House Bill 94 represents a significant step towards ensuring that individuals facing fertility risks due to necessary medical treatments have access to fertility preservation services. By mandating coverage in health benefit policies, the bill aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with these critical services.

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

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