To the Editor:

On Jan. 1, 2020, a major improvement to health-care coverage arrives in New York State that will significantly impact the lives of 1 in 8 couples: For the first time, insurance carriers serving companies with over 100 employees will be required to provide infertility coverage to their subscribers. New York becomes one of 16 states in the nation to mandate infertility coverage.

This is a cause near and dear to my heart, as my wife and I are among those “1 in 8” couples. We have been walking the challenging and winding road of infertility for nearly three years.

After two rounds of IVF [in vitro fertilization] and two miscarriages, we are still on that road. While we are incredibly fortunate to have had insurance during this time that already provided infertility coverage, we have heard stories from many couples who are not as lucky. I’m writing this letter to make sure that other people out there who may also be enduring this challenge are aware of this coming insurance change. 

If you haven’t known someone who has been through infertility, it may be surprising to find out that procedures like in vitro fertilization generally cost in the tens of thousands of dollars per cycle. That level of cost is simply prohibitive for most couples. To be sure, if my wife and I did not have existing coverage, we certainly would not have been able to afford the two rounds of IVF that we have completed.

It’s important to note a few things: First, I fully acknowledge that there are many ways to grow a family, including adoption and fostering. These are important and wonderful options that deserve consideration by anyone experiencing infertility. However, infertility is a deeply traumatic life event, so expanding the options available for people to grow their families is undeniably a good thing.

Second, I’m sure many readers will be wondering “how much will this cost in my premiums?” The New York State Department of Financial Services conducted a comprehensive study of various levels of coverage, including studying other states who already offer this benefit, and concluded that premiums would only increase by a very modest 0.5 to 1 percent.

Third, it’s critical to note that this is a step in the right direction, but that many people who are struggling to grow their family will still not be covered. People who receive insurance from a source other than a large employer are still not covered.

Gay male couples will not be helped at all by this coverage as surrogacy is currently illegal in New York State for antiquated reasons. (Indeed, the entire process of growing one’s family is far more complicated and expensive for gay and lesbian couples, but we can hope that future legislation will help ease that burden.)

Fourth and finally, I’d reiterate that, while issues with fertility may seem uncommon, facts show that they are in fact, sadly quite normal. Beyond the 1 in 8 couples who experience infertility (which comes out to about 2.4 million people in New York State alone), research demonstrates that as many as 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Increasing access to infertility coverage provides real, concrete help to people in these situations.

The bottom line is that along our own journey, we’ve been amazed and saddened to find out how many of our friends, family, and neighbors have also experienced infertility, miscarriages, and other reproductive challenges. Sharing those stories eases the burden, and makes changes like this new law possible. May this new law bring hope to millions of New Yorkers like us.

Keegan Prue

Altamont

Editor’s note: See related story.