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Understanding the Connecticut Fertility Mandate Questions for Insurance Companies & Employers May 8, 2006 Financial Services Representatives. The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services. About the Mandate. Mandate requires an infertility diagnosis
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Understanding the Connecticut Fertility Mandate Questions for Insurance Companies & Employers May 8, 2006 Financial Services Representatives The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services
About the Mandate • Mandate requires an infertility diagnosis • Some of what the mandate says is open to the interpretation of individual insurance plans • Definition of ovulation induction (clomid vs. injectibles • Definition of IVF cycle • Mandate requires that covered treatments are clinically indicated • Exhausting covered benefits does not mean one will be moved on to the next level of treatment
Mandate Related Questions • Am I covered under the CT mandate passed on 10/1/05? • Is my policy self funded or fully insured? • When am I eligible to access my infertility benefit under the mandate? • Do I need to complete the Disclosure Form (individual plan holders)? • If so, where do I send it? • Does my partner need to complete one? • Is there a fertility look back clause associated with my policy?
Mandate Related Questions • Confirm eligibility for: • 4 ovulation inductions (how is your plan defining ovulation induction; clomid, injectibles?) • 3 intrauterine inseminations • 2 IVF cycles (How is your plan defining an IVF cycle?) • Do FET cycles count toward the 2? • When does the clock start ticking (what constitutes one cycle)? • Start of meds • Completed retrieval • Completed transfer
General Questions for your insurance company(mandate and non-mandate) • Do I have infertility benefits • Do I need a referral? • What is my co-pay for a specialist office visit? • Effective date of my policy • Renewal date of my policy • Is there a deductible or co-insurance?
Questions about blood work • Is diagnostic blood work covered? • Estradiol, FSH, LH, Hep B&C, HIV • Is monitoring blood work covered? • Estradiol, FSH, LH, Progesterone • Is blood work for genetic testing covered? • Chromosomes; Cystic Fibrosis, Tay Sachs • Am I required to use specific labs?
Questions about diagnostic testing procedures • Will my new patient visit be covered? • Will any of the following be covered?: • Semen analysis • Hysterosalpingogram or Sonohysterogram • Endometrial biopsy • Transvaginal ultrasounds • Diagnostic • Monitoring as part of cycle
Questions about IUI treatment • Do I have coverage for intrauterine inseminations aka artificial inseminations? • Is prior authorization required? • Is there: • A maximum number of cycles? Does the maximum include all treatment cycles? • A dollar amount maximum? • Coverage for sperm washing?
Questions about IVF Treatment • Do I have coverage for In Vitro Fertilization? • Is prior authorization required? • Is there: • A maximum number of cycles? Does this maximum include all treatment cycles? • A dollar amount maximum per year or lifetime?
Questions about Embryology Lab Procedures • Is there coverage for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)? CPT codes 89280 or 89281 • Is there coverage for Assisted Hatching? CPT code 89253 • Is there coverage for Cryopreservation of embryo(s)? CPT code 89258 • Is there coverage for Cryopreservation of sperm? CPT code 89259
Questions about Medications • Do I have a separate pharmacy carrier? • Do I have coverage for oral medications (ie, clomid)? • Do I have coverage for injectible medications? • Bravelle, Follistim, Gonal F • Is prior authorization required for my medications? • Do I need to utilize a specific pharmacy?
In Closing • If unable to access this information from your insurance company contact your benefits administrator thru your employer • Don’t take “no” for an answer or a first response as the final word. Request to speak to a supervisor • Your doctors office has experienced people to help you obtain information and help you understand it. However, ultimately we cannot guarantee benefits. Benefits are between patients and their insurance company.
Questions and Answers Thank you!