Health insurance law expands to cover fertility preservation

CHICAGO, Ill. (WIFR) -- A new law requires Illinois insurance to cover fertility preservation in hopes to help cancer patients become parents.

House Bill 2617 covers the process of egg and sperm preservation. This will help people undergoing potentially sterilizing treatments like chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.

Researchers say 18 young adults and children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the state.

“With this legislation, we give them a way to overcome the burden of high out-of-pocket expenses for egg or sperm freezing so they can preserve an option to have a family in the future,” Rauner said.

Illinois is the third state to enact this kind of law.