Aetna to start covering IUI after a lawsuit, providers and families rejoice

Medical insurance company Aetna just announced that it’s going to be providing additional fertility coverage, specifically offering intrauterine insemination (IUI), to all policyholders regardless of sexual orientation or whether they’re partnered.

“Expanding IUI coverage is yet another demonstration of Aetna’s commitment to women’s health across all communities, including LGBTQ+ and unpartnered people,” Cathy Moffitt, MD, senior vice president and Aetna chief medical officer, CVS Health, said in a press release. “This industry-leading policy change is a stake in the ground, reflecting Aetna’s support of all who need to use this benefit as a preliminary step in building their family.”

Related:

Aetna agrees to provide equal fertility coverage for LGBTQ+ people in landmark settlement

Until now, LGBTQ+ people faced a “queer tax” that heterosexual couples experiencing infertility did not.

This comes after a settlement agreement from a lawsuit earlier this year which stated that Aetna has to provide such care for LGBTQ+ people. The case, Goidel et al. v. Aetna, was filed in September 2021 and only came to a resolution in May after years of waiting and legal battles.

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It was argued that the previous policy, which only gave such coverage to straight people who were unable to conceive after six to 12 months of attempts and only gave coverage to LGBTQ+ people after they paid out of pocket for 12 cycles, was discriminatory. The plaintiffs in the case, Emma Goidel and her partner Illana Caplan, filed it after becoming aware of the disparities in the policy. They had the assistance of the National Women’s Law Center and local law firms.

“How is it OK to say if you’re straight and your partner can’t get you pregnant, you come into the doctor and we’ll cover your treatment, but if you’re a queer and your partner can’t get you pregnant, too bad you’re going to pay?” said Goidel in a 2023 interview with ABC News.

Aetna’s new policy begins September 1, and in addition to the new policy, they’re going to begin reimbursing claims and will be giving $2 million in funds to the plaintiffs.

“We know firsthand the barriers people face in accessing needed medical care to start or grow their families,” said Chief Clinical Officer Kate Steinle of a nationwide health care provider for the LGBTQ+ community, FOLX, in the press release. “As an in-network provider focused on the LGBTQ+ community, we applaud Aetna’s efforts to reduce out-of-pocket costs, so that more people can have the families they dream of – and deserve.”

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