Bill Summary for HB1014
- Bill Number: HB1014
- Primary Sponsor: Representative A. Collins
- Purpose: To require coverage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) under the Arkansas State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.
Key Provisions:
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Coverage Requirement:
- Mandates the inclusion of IVF as a covered expense under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.
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Establishment of Coverage Levels:
- The Director of the Employee Benefits Division is tasked with determining the minimum and maximum levels of IVF coverage after conducting studies and public hearings.
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Standards and Certification:
- IVF services must be performed at facilities:
- Licensed or certified by the Arkansas Department of Health or an equivalent agency from another state.
- Meeting guidelines and standards of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
- Certification requires facilities to demonstrate reasonable success rates for fertilization and births.
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Rulemaking:
- The Employee Benefits Division must develop and file rules for implementation by January 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter if delayed by legislative approval.
Layman’s Terms Summary:
HB1014 requires the state health insurance plan for public employees and school staff to cover IVF treatments. The program must ensure that coverage is provided by certified medical facilities that meet established success rate standards. The state will define the exact scope of coverage through a rulemaking process to be completed by early 2026. This bill aims to improve access to fertility treatments for public employees and their families.
Existing Arkansas Laws on IVF Coverage:
- Mandated IVF Coverage: Arkansas Code (§ 23-85-137 and § 23-86-118) requires health insurance plans to include IVF as a covered service, but it applies primarily to private insurers operating in the state.
- Exemptions:
- Self-insured employers, which include some large entities, are exempt under federal ERISA law.
- Specific plan types, such as "minimum basic benefit policies," may not be required to cover IVF.
- Scope of Existing Laws:
- These laws primarily regulate private insurance plans and do not explicitly extend to state-funded health insurance programs like the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.
