Health plans would cover fertility preservation before cancer treatment

Insurers would cover fertility preservation services. This would apply when medically necessary cancer treatment may harm fertility, under covered individual and group medical plans. Storage must be covered for at least three years, unless the person leaves the plan sooner. If no network storage facility is available, the network rule would not apply. Cost-sharing and medical review could continue, and any lifetime cap must be at least $100,000 per person. For plans requiring federal or state filings, the rules would apply when a rate or form is first filed on or after 180 days after the act takes effect. The rules would apply to other plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

Insurers would grant qualifying religious employers a requested exemption. It would cover tax-exempt churches, church groups, and church-controlled or church-supported elementary and secondary schools. The employer must request the exemption in writing, and coverage must conflict with its sincere religious beliefs and practices. An exempt employer must notify every prospective enrollee in writing. People in an exempt plan would remain free to buy supplemental coverage at their own expense. The exemption rules would follow the same filing, issue, and renewal schedule beginning 180 days after the act takes effect.