Fertility Equality: Aetna's Big Change for LGBTQ Families

Aetna, a major health insurance company, has decided to treat all couples equally when it comes to fertility care. This change comes after a legal battle that highlighted unfair treatment.

The Settlement

The settlement affects about 2.8 million LGBTQ members across the country, with 91,000 in California alone. Before this change, Aetna's rules required proof of infertility through heterosexual intercourse, which obviously didn't make sense for same-sex couples. This meant many had to pay for expensive treatments like artificial insemination or IVF on their own, costing up to $45,000 or more.

The Fight for Equality

Mara Berton and her wife, June Higginbotham, were among those who fought against these unfair rules. Despite having insurance, they were denied benefits and told they needed to go through multiple failed cycles of artificial insemination before qualifying for coverage. Doctors usually recommend only three to four cycles before moving to IVF, showing how unreasonable the policy was.

Expert Opinions

Experts pointed out that such policies were designed to discourage people from using their benefits. Alison Tanner of the National Women’s Law Center, which supported the lawsuit, said the case was about inequality. Under the settlement, Aetna will also pay at least $2 million to eligible California members who were denied coverage in the past.

New State Law

Starting in January, a new California state law will require many insurance plans to cover fertility treatment for same-sex couples and single people. Sean Tipton of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine said the case reflects a growing recognition that fertility care should be based on medical need, not sexual orientation.

A Step Forward

Although Berton and Higginbotham had their twin daughters before the case was resolved, they believe the settlement will make a big difference for other families. Higginbotham mentioned knowing people who couldn't have children or had to delay their family plans because of the lack of coverage.

This settlement is a big step forward in ensuring that all couples have equal access to fertility care, regardless of their sexual orientation. It highlights the importance of fair treatment and the need for insurance policies to reflect the diverse needs of all families.