Overview

• California’s Legislature is set to approve Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request to move the IVF coverage start date from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026 to harmonize the mandate with essential health benefit rules.
• If legislators and the governor do not finalize the postponement by July 1, the Department of Managed Health Care will enforce the original SB 729 requirements for qualifying large-group plans.
• SB 729 obligates state-regulated large-employer health plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment including up to three egg retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers for nine million residents.
• Because most large-group policies renew in January, eligible employees may not see new IVF benefits until plan renewals even under the original July effective date.
• Patients and fertility providers warn that the shifting timeline and lack of detailed guidance on services like embryo storage and donor materials are causing significant uncertainty and financial strain.