Governor Hogan Signs Legislation Making Fertility Preservation Affordable for Young Adult Cancer Patients
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults spearheads passing of bill that will preserve the possibility of family for thousands of Marylanders
BALTIMORE – May 15, 2018 – The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) is pleased to announce that Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation this morning requiring insurance coverage of fertility preservation services for cancer patients who face infertility from their treatments.
Maryland is the third state in the country to provide this important benefit.
This law will require certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs to cover standard services like sperm banking and egg banking for at-risk young cancer patients.
Brock Yetso, president and CEO of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, says:
“For many young cancer patients, loss of fertility is an unfortunate side effect of treatment. But the fact is, we have the medical means to preserve the possibility of parenthood for these patients. Parenthood is a fundamental life function that shouldn’t be eliminated due to disease or financial barriers. We’re proud to say that, in Maryland, fertility preservation is now an affordable reality for the majority of cancer patients.”
The financial cost associated with emergency fertility preservation is often too great for patients to manage, especially on top of other medical and treatment expenses. The cost is particularly high for young women, often exceeding $11,000 for egg retrieval and freezing.
According to a Maryland Health Care Commission Report, the costs for this benefit would be minimal – between $0.14-$0.24 per member per month – in added insurance costs.
“We strongly believe that having cancer should not preclude having children. Young cancer patients have already suffered enough, and they deserve the chance at a full and complete future after cancer. This coverage protects that chance.” – Joyce Reinecke, Executive Director of the Alliance for Fertility Preservation
UCF advocated for this bill alongside the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Shady Grove Fertility Clinic and countless patients and survivor advocates who testified at committee hearings supporting the bill. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2019.
About the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is the oldest and largest non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization in the United States solely focused on the unique needs of young adult cancer patients. Founded in 1997, the Ulman Cancer Fund mission is to change lives by creating a community of support for young adults and their loved ones impacted by cancer. The organization works at both the local and national level to ensure all young adults (age 15-39) impacted by cancer have a voice and the necessary resources to thrive. For more information about Ulman Cancer Fund, visit: ulmanfoundation.org.
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