(a) On and after January 1, 1990, every insurer issuing, renewing, or amending a policy of disability insurance that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall offer coverage of infertility treatment, except in vitro fertilization, under those terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the group policyholder and the insurer. Every insurer shall communicate the availability of that coverage to all group policyholders and to all prospective group policyholders with whom they are negotiating.
(b) For purposes of this section, “infertility” means either (1) the presence of a demonstrated condition recognized by a licensed physician and surgeon as a cause of infertility, or (2) the inability to conceive a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to a live birth after a year or more of regular sexual relations without contraception. “Treatment for infertility” means procedures consistent with established medical practices in the treatment of infertility by licensed physicians and surgeons, including, but not limited to, diagnosis, diagnostic tests, medication, surgery, and gamete intrafallopian transfer. “In vitro fertilization” means the laboratory medical procedures involving the actual in vitro fertilization process.
(c) This section shall not be construed to deny or restrict in any way any existing right or benefit to coverage and treatment of infertility under an existing law, plan, or policy.
(d) This section shall not be construed to require any employer that is a religious organization to offer coverage for forms of treatment of infertility in a manner inconsistent with the religious organization’s religious and ethical principles.
(e) (1) This section shall not be construed to require any insurer, which is a subsidiary of an entity whose owner or corporate member is a religious organization, to offer coverage for treatment of infertility in a manner inconsistent with that religious organization’s religious and ethical principles.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “subsidiary” of a specified corporation means a corporation more than 45 percent of the voting power of which is owned directly, or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, by the specified corporation.
(f) This section applies to every disability insurance policy that is issued, amended, or renewed to residents of this state regardless of the situs of the contract.
(g) Consistent with Section 10140, coverage for the treatment of infertility shall be offered and, if purchased, provided without discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, domestic partner status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to interfere with the clinical judgment of a physician and surgeon.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 644, Sec. 2. (AB 460) Effective January 1, 2014.)