At Innovative Fertility Center in Manhattan Beach, CA, Dr. Berger and our dedicated team are committed to guiding you through the evolving landscape of fertility care. With significant legislative and pharmaceutical developments in 2026, understanding your options is more crucial than ever.
California’s SB 729: Expanding Access to Fertility Treatments
Effective January 1, 2026, California’s Senate Bill 729 mandates that fully insured large-group health plans (employers with 101 or more employees) provide coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation services.
Key Provisions:
Inclusive Coverage: The law redefines infertility to encompass individuals unable to conceive without medical intervention, ensuring access for single individuals and LGBTQ+ couples.
Comprehensive Benefits: Coverage includes up to three completed oocyte (egg) retrievals, unlimited embryo transfers, fertility medications, and medically necessary fertility preservation procedures.
Cost Parity: Insurers must apply the same cost-sharing structures (deductibles, copayments, coinsurance) to fertility treatments as they do for other medical services.
Exemptions:
It’s important to note that SB 729 does not apply to self-funded (ERISA) plans, religious employers, or Medi-Cal. However, small group insurers are required to offer at least one plan with comprehensive infertility benefits, though employers are not mandated to select it.
Federal Initiatives: Making Fertility Care More Affordable
In October 2025, the Trump administration announced measures to reduce the financial burden of fertility treatments:
Medication Discounts: Through a partnership with EMD Serono, patients can access an 84% discount on commonly used IVF medications—Gonal-f®, Ovidrel®, and Cetrotide®—via the TrumpRx.gov platform, launched in January 2026.
Expedited Drug Approvals: The FDA is fast-tracking the approval of Pergoveris®, a combination therapy of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) and luteinizing hormone (r-hLH), offering a new option for patients with complex fertility needs.
Employer Benefit Guidance: New federal guidelines encourage employers to offer standalone fertility benefits, similar to dental or vision plans, providing more flexibility in how fertility care is covered.
What This Means for Patients and Employers
For Patients:
Enhanced Access: With SB 729 and federal initiatives, more individuals have access to comprehensive fertility care, reducing financial and systemic barriers.
Immediate Steps: Consult with your HR department to understand your plan’s specifics and renewal dates. Even if your current plan doesn’t offer coverage, changes may be forthcoming.
For Employers:
Compliance: Ensure that your health plans align with SB 729 requirements if you offer fully insured large-group plans.
Employee Communication: Educate your workforce about new benefits and how to access them, fostering a supportive environment for family planning.
Innovative Fertility Center: Your Partner in Parenthood
At Innovative Fertility Center, we understand that navigating fertility treatments can be complex. Our team is here to provide:
- Insurance Guidance: Assistance in understanding and maximizing your fertility benefits.
- Personalized Care: Tailored treatment plans that align with the latest medical advancements and your unique needs.
- Supportive Environment: A compassionate team dedicated to supporting you throughout your fertility journey.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, call us or email us at www.innovativefertility.com
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Embarking on the path to parenthood is a significant step. With the evolving landscape of fertility care in 2026, we’re here to ensure you have the support, information, and medical expertise you need every step of the way.
Southern California employers with publicly documented fertility / family-building benefits
- Snap Inc. (Santa Monica) — Public benefits page states they offer “adoption, surrogacy, infertility, and fertility preservation benefits” and notes support via Carrot.
- Riot Games (Los Angeles) — Riot’s leadership has publicly stated they offer fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits (details of cycles/dollar caps aren’t fully public on that page, but the benefit exists).
- Netflix (Los Angeles / Netflix Animation) — Netflix publicly states it offers a family forming benefit supporting preservation, fertility, surrogacy, and adoption (Netflix Animation specifically notes coverage via Carrot, including travel).
- The Walt Disney Company (Burbank) — A Disney family-building benefits document describes a $75,000 lifetime maximum usable for fertility treatment, fertility preservation, adoption, and surrogacy, administered through WIN.
- Sony Pictures Entertainment (Culver City) — Sony benefits documents show a partnership with Progyny and describe comprehensive fertility coverage (IUI, IVF, egg freezing, etc.) and support for multiple paths to parenthood.
- SpaceX (Hawthorne) — Kindbody hosts a SpaceX-specific benefit activation page describing access to fertility services including IVF and egg freezing.
- Orange County / Irvine
- Activision Blizzard / Blizzard (Irvine) — Activision-hosted Kindbody guides describe coverage via Kindbody, including “KindCycles” for fertility treatment services (IVF/IUI) and preservation.