Aetna to Cover Fertility Treatments for LGBTQ Individuals as Part of Court Settlement

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Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS Health Corp, has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging discrimination against LGBTQ individuals seeking fertility treatments. The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by four plaintiffs, accused Aetna of requiring LGBTQ beneficiaries to pay more out of pocket for fertility treatments compared to heterosexual individuals. The settlement, subject to court approval, requires Aetna to pay $2 million and update its coverage policies.

Previously, Aetna’s policy required heterosexual couples to try to conceive through intercourse for six or 12 months before covering fertility treatments. However, LGBTQ couples were reportedly required to pay for treatments out of pocket for up to a year before receiving coverage. Under the settlement, Aetna will establish a new standard health benefit plan covering artificial insemination regardless of sexual orientation.

Aetna denied any wrongdoing in the settlement but expressed its commitment to providing quality care to all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As part of the settlement, Aetna will establish a $2 million fund to reimburse beneficiaries for out-of-pocket expenses incurred under the previous policy. Additionally, the company will re-process eligible claims for coverage and modify its clinical policies to ensure equal access to fertility treatments.

Lead plaintiff Emma Goidel hailed the settlement as “a big win for queer families,” emphasizing the financial burden placed on LGBTQ couples under Aetna’s previous policy. The National Women’s Law Center, representing the plaintiffs, highlighted similar discriminatory coverage policies across the insurance industry and expressed hope that other insurers would follow Aetna’s lead in addressing these disparities.