Why is fertility coverage necessary?

Coverage for infertility and fertility preservation can currently be disallowed by insurance companies in TN, considered cosmetic or elective.

For many, infertility is the result of a birth defect or a treatable diagnosis. For others, a cancer diagnosis followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation results in infertility.

A common fallacy is that IVF is a rich person's disease, the inevitable fate of a successful workaholic who put off having a family until it was too late. Their lifestyle choice shouldn't be anyone's responsibility but their own, the thinking goes, and they can probably afford it, anyway.

However, as Ann V. Bell points out in her book "Misconception," studies have found that women of lower socioeconomic status have a harder time conceiving children than their wealthy counterparts. Yes, we don't hear about them going through IVF -- but that's probably because they simply can't afford it. Read More 

This photo provided by Mandi Rioux shows Abbey and Paul Watkins in Nolensville, Tenn., with their twins, Gus, left, and Pate. The couple received a Starfish Infertility Foundation grant. (Mandi Rioux via AP) Full article

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jared Daugherty and his wife Rachel have been married for 6 years.  For the past 4 years, they have been struggling with infertility. They had difficulties conceiving early on but were told not to worry about it within the first year. 

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