Health plans must cover fertility care for some cancer patients

Health plans must cover medically needed services to preserve fertility for certain people with breast or ovarian cancer. This applies to individual and group insurance, health benefit plans, and other listed public and private plans. The person must have breast or ovarian cancer, and a health care provider must judge that the cancer or expected cancer treatment may cause infertility. Plans must make covered care available through an in-network provider. The service must follow established medical practice or recognized medical guidelines and be medically necessary. A plan or insurer affiliated with a religious organization may refuse this coverage if it objects on religious grounds and gives written notice before issuing or renewing the policy or plan. The act’s general provisions take effect January 1, 2027. The text also says policies or plans issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, have the legal effect of including this coverage.

Nevada must cover qualifying fertility preservation services through Medicaid to the extent federal financial participation is available. This covers Medicaid recipients diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer when a health care provider judges that the cancer or expected cancer treatment may cause infertility. The care must be medically necessary and follow established medical practice or recognized medical guidelines. The state must seek any federal waiver or Medicaid plan change needed to receive federal funding and cooperate with the federal government. The Medicaid coverage provision takes effect for general purposes January 1, 2027. The act also sets aside state money and authorizes other spending for related costs in fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27.