Frozen eggs in vitro. Credit: viktoriya/Adobe Stock
A landmark shift in fertility benefits is taking place as mandated IVF coverage expands across both state and federal levels. Policies like California’s Senate Bill 729 (SB 729) and the proposed federal Family Building FEHB Fairness Act (H.R. 2828) signal a growing recognition of infertility treatment as a fundamental health care need rather than an elective procedure. These legislative changes are setting a new standard for employer-sponsored fertility benefits, ensuring that more individuals have access to affordable and comprehensive reproductive care.
For employers, these changes mark a transformational shift in workplace benefits. As legal requirements evolve and employee expectations increase, comprehensive fertility coverage is no longer just a competitive advantage—it is becoming a fundamental component of talent retention and recruitment strategies.
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California’s SB 729: A landmark in state-mandated fertility coverage
Signed into law on September 29, 2024, SB 729 requires large-group health plans (covering 100 or more employees) to include infertility diagnosis and treatment coverage, including IVF procedures. This marks a significant departure from previous policies, where fertility benefits were often optional or inconsistently provided, leaving many employees to bear out-of-pocket expenses ranging from $12,000 to $25,000 per IVF cycle.
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David Adamson, MD
David Adamson is a consulting reproductive endocrinologist and surgeon, Medical Director of Equal3 Fertility, Clinical Professor ACF at Stanford University, and Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF. He is Past President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), AAGL (women’s surgery), the Committee on Reproductive Medicine for the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and several other major gynecological societies. He is Chair of the International Committee Monitoring ART (ICMART), President of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF) and ex officio Board member of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS). He is a member of many prestigious professional societies and has been a board member and advisor to government, industry, professional and patient organizations. He has over 300 peer-reviewed and other scientific/medical publications and has lectured extensively nationally and internationally on assisted reproductive technologies, endometriosis, reproductive surgery and infertility, standards of care, cost-effective outcomes, equity and access. Dr. Adamson led the committee that created The FIGO Fertility Toolbox and the organization that created the global Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project (EPHect), and he created the Endometriosis Fertility Index, all electronic tools used globally to improve health care for reproductive age women. He is Founder, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Reproductive Care (ARC Fertility), the largest United States network fertility company. He has been recognized as one of the best 400 physicians for women in America and received the Outstanding Achievement in Medicine award from the Santa Clara County Medical Society, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for contributions to the community, Distinguished Surgeon award from the Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Honorary Life Membership from the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents, the Barbara Eck Founders Award from RESOLVE, the national fertility consumer organization, several honorary memberships and professorships, and the ASRM Distinguished Service award for his outstanding achievements in advancing the practice of reproductive medicine. Dr. Adamson has been honored with the CEO of the Year Award by CEO Monthly.
