Insurance Basics

   Understanding your health insurance even for the most scholarly --- can be a daunting and complicated issue. The language used in many insurance policies can be very difficult to understand, confusing and vague. The best possible position for you is to advocate for yourself. Afterall at the end of the day, YOU are the one who has the most to gain or lose.

In this section:

The Octuplet Debacle: Where do we go from here? by Geoffrey Sher, MD
The entire debacle surrounding the IVF “Octuplets” raises serious ethical issues. .At the same time, it sounds an alarm that it is time for all well intended people involved in Reproductive Health Care, to take action.

Infertility Insurance: What is an HMO?
Definition of an HMO and questions you should ask yourself about HMO's.

Understanding your health insurance
Most Americans get health insurance through their jobs or are covered because a family member has insurance at work. This is called group insurance. Group insurance is generally the least expensive kind. In many cases, the employer pays part or all of the cost.

What you should know about Managed Care Insurance
What you need to know about HMO's. Questions you need to ask regarding coverage.

Insurance Advocacy Forum
Visit the insurance advocacy bulletin board forum on INCIID.

Insurance Companies / Carriers Known to Cover Infertility
This is a list (not complete) of companies which have been known to carry infertility coverage. If you want to add to the list, please email us.

States Mandating Insurance Coverage for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss
The Arkansas state mandate for covering infertility.

New York State and Infertility Insurance
New York State passes sweeping reforms in health care for women (2002)