Does FEHB cover IVF?
What the Office of Personnel Management and the plans' own 2026 brochures say about IVF in the federal employee (FEHB) and postal (PSHB) health programs, in their own words, with the document each statement is in.
- Documents read · checked 16 h ago
On some plans. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requires every FEHB carrier to cover IVF drugs for three cycles, and every plan to cover freezing eggs or sperm before treatment that causes infertility, but IVF itself is covered only by the plans that include it. OPM's latest list, for plan year 2025, names 25 FEHB plans and 11 PSHB plans. For 2026 the plans' own brochures show more: FEP Blue Standard and GEHA High at $25,000 a year, Aetna's plans, UnitedHealthcare's Choice plans, and the California plans under the state's new law, each listed below with its limit. Open Season for 2027 runs November 9 to December 14, 2026; the 2027 brochures were not posted when we read these on October 12, 2026.
What OPM requires and lists
Read on Oct 12, 2026. The words in quotation marks are the source's own.
On some plans
“For Plan Year 2025, the following twenty-five (25) FEHB plans, offering a total of forty-five (45) options, will cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) services.”
“For Plan Year 2025, the following eleven (11) PSHB plans, offering a total of nineteen (19) options, will cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) services.”
“All FEHB carriers are required to cover three cycles of IVF-related drugs.”
HMOs have to meet state IVF laws
For 2026, OPM required HMOs that serve a state with an IVF coverage law to offer benefits that meet it, across their whole service area, even for an enrollee who lives in a neighboring state with no such law. OPM says this expanded coverage.
“HMO plans in states with IVF mandates were required to propose benefits that met those mandates, resulting in an expansion of coverage for the Federal family.”
“if a plan’s service area crosses multiple states, including the District of Columbia, and only one of the states has an IVF mandate, the Carrier must propose to offer the IVF benefit required under that state’s law across the service area, even if the enrollee is domiciled in a state with no mandate.”
Fertility preservation on every plan
Every plan has to cover at least retrieving and freezing sperm and eggs, with a year of storage, for people whose medical treatment will cause infertility.
“OPM also requires, at a minimum, retrieval and cryopreservation of sperm and eggs, along with storage costs for at least one year, for individuals with iatrogenic infertility from non-elective procedures.”
Prior approval
OPM's list says IVF needs prior approval on the plans that cover it, unless the plan says otherwise.
“FEHB Plans that offer IVF with cycle or dollar limits. (Prior approval required unless otherwise noted)”
FEP Blue Focus excludes IVF
Not every option of a carrier that covers IVF does. FEP Blue Focus lists IVF and other assisted reproduction as not covered, though it still covers IVF drugs for 3 cycles a year with prior approval.
“The services listed below are not covered as treatments for infertility or as alternatives to conventional conception:”
“Assisted reproductive technology (ART), including but not limited to: - In vitro fertilization (IVF)”
“Drugs for IVF - limited to 3 cycles annually (prior approval required)”
What is known about 2027
OPM says 2027 rates and benefits are on its website and Open Season runs November 9 to December 14, 2026. Its instructions to carriers for 2027 require fertility clinics in plan networks to report to the CDC and meet the standards of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, and encourage carriers to give members negotiated rates for assisted reproduction a plan does not cover. FEP Blue says its 2027 brochures will be available soon and describes FEP Blue Standard as the option with additional IVF benefits.
“the 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season will run from November 9 through December 14, 2026. The rates and benefits for the 2027 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) are now available for review on OPM.gov.”
“When assistance with conception is determined to be medically necessary, OPM requires Carriers to ensure that the ART clinics in their networks report to the CDC Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System and meet the standards set by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).”
“OPM continues to strongly encourage Carriers to provide members with access to discounted or negotiated rates for non-covered ART procedures as previously referenced in Carrier Letter 2022-03. This information should be available on a CPT-code basis and described in the affinity benefits section of plan brochures.”
“Are planning or growing your family and want maternity care fully covered + additional IVF benefits”
“The 2027 plan brochures will be available soon.”
FEHB and PSHB plans that cover IVF in 2026
Plans whose plan year 2026 brochures state IVF coverage, each in its own words. Limits are different units (dollars, cycles, egg retrievals) with different exclusions, so they are listed, not ranked. Nationwide plans first, then regional ones.
FEP Blue Standard (Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan)
$25,000 a yearNationwide, FEHB and PSHB. Members who meet the plan's definition of infertility get IVF and other assisted reproduction up to $25,000 paid a year, with prior approval. Artificial insemination and the drugs for IVF do not count toward the $25,000; IVF drugs are limited to 3 cycles a year.
“Members who meet our definition of infertility in Section 10 are eligible for ART services, limited to $25,000 paid annually.”
“The covered AI procedures and associated drugs listed in this section, and the prescription drugs associated with ART procedures are not subject to the $25,000 annual maximum. Note: Prior approval required.”
GEHA High Option
$25,000 a yearNationwide, FEHB and PSHB High Option. IVF up to a $25,000 annual maximum, which includes procedures, supplies, and facility and anesthesia services.
“In Vitro Fertilization is limited to $25,000 annual benefit maximum. Dollar limits include procedures, supplies, and any related facility or anesthesia services. (High Option)”
Aetna (FEHB and PSHB plans)
3 cycles a yearNew for 2026: Aetna's FEHB and PSHB plans (Aetna Direct, HealthFund, Value Plan, Advantage, Open Access and Saver) add IVF and ovulation induction for up to 3 cycles per member a year, with a $25,000 yearly maximum on infertility drugs. Altius, Aetna's plan in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, adds the same.
“adding Advanced Reproductive Technology (including In Vitro Fertilization and Ovulation Induction) for up to 3 cycles per member per calendar year.”
“The Plan is adding a $25,000 maximum per member per calendar year on infertility medications”
“adding Advanced Reproductive Technology (including In Vitro Fertilization and Ovulation Induction) for up to 3 cycles per member per calendar year.”
UnitedHealthcare Choice plans and M.D. IPA
3 egg retrievalsNew for 2026 on UnitedHealthcare's Choice plans (FEHB and PSHB, in the states each serves): IVF with 3 complete egg retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers from them. M.D. IPA, its plan in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, covers the same.
“Add coverage for In vitro fertilization (IVF) services as follows: three (3) complete oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers from those oocyte retrievals”
“In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) services as follows: 3 Complete oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers from those oocyte retrievals.”
Foreign Service Benefit Plan (High Option)
IVF at designated clinicsFor the Foreign Service and certain agencies. Covers IVF only at clinics in the Institutes of Excellence infertility network (or providers outside the 50 states), at 10% of the plan allowance.
“For services listed under ART, you must use a provider who participates in our Institutes of Excellence™ (IOE) Infertility Providers or a provider outside the 50 United States to receive benefits.”
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) • Embryo transfer and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)”
Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (PSHB)
2 cycles a yearFor members of the rural letter carriers' association. Covers assisted reproduction for two complete cycles a calendar year.
“Note: We limit coverage for ART to two (2) complete cycles per calendar year.”
Kaiser Permanente California (Northern, Southern, Fresno)
3 retrievals a yearNew for 2026: IVF and its drugs at no greater cost sharing than other care, with up to 3 egg retrieval attempts a calendar year.
“We expanded coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility drugs, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and drugs for IVF, at no greater cost sharing than for any other illness or condition.”
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) limited to: - Oocyte retrieval, up to 3 attempts per calendar year”
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) limited to: - Oocyte retrieval, up to 3 attempts per calendar year”
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) limited to: - Oocyte retrieval, up to 3 attempts per calendar year”
Health Net of California
Added under SB 729New for 2026: IVF medical benefits added because of California's SB 729. Genetic testing of embryos, surrogates and donor sperm or egg collection are not covered.
“Due to the State Mandate 729, the following treatment of infertility and fertility services will be added to your plan: - In vitro fertilization (IVF) medical benefits,”
“Not covered: All charges • Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis • Gestational carriers (surrogates) • Donor sperm and ova collection”
Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
3 retrievals a yearIVF with a maximum of 3 egg retrievals per benefit period, when medically necessary and with prior authorization.
“IVF Services: Maximum of 3 oocyte retrievals per benefit period when medically necessary and prior authorization requirements are met”
Sharp Health Plan
3 retrievals a yearAn annual maximum of three egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers.
“Annual maximum of three oocyte retrievals (egg retrievals) and unlimited embryo transfers”
Western Health Advantage
IVF coveredLists IVF among covered assisted reproduction, with a copay per office or facility visit.
“Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which include procedures involving the transfer and/or implantation of egg/ovum/embryo including: $25 copay per visit performed in office setting (primary care/specialist) - In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)”
Kaiser Permanente Colorado
$50,000 a yearIVF at 50% coinsurance: up to three completed egg retrievals, 3 attempts per live pregnancy, and no more than $50,000 a year.
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) - Services are limited to 3 attempts per live pregnancy. - Up to three completed egg retrievals - IVF coverage is not to exceed an annual benefit maximum of $50,000”
CareFirst BlueChoice
3 egg retrievalsD.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, FEHB and PSHB. For 2026 it dropped its $45,000 annual limit, its three-attempts-per-live-birth rule and its requirement to try cheaper treatment first; IVF is limited to three complete egg retrievals with no limit on embryo transfers.
“The Plan is eliminating the $45,000 annual limit, the restriction of three attempts per live birth, and the requirement that patients must first attempt less costly infertility treatments before accessing IVF.”
“Limit to three (3) complete egg retrievals and there is no limit on the number of embryo transfers”
Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States
$50,000 a yearD.C., Maryland and Virginia. IVF at 50% of the plan allowance, limited to three attempts per live birth and an annual maximum of $50,000.
“Coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is after the deductible limited to a maximum of three attempts per live birth • Covered for an annual benefit maximum of $50,000.”
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
1 IVF per lifetimeOne IVF procedure per lifetime for people who qualify under Hawaii law, with prior authorization.
“One in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure per lifetime”
HMSA
1 IVF per plan optionA one-time benefit per plan option for one outpatient IVF procedure, under HMSA's criteria and Hawaii law.
“Note: Coverage is limited to a one time only benefit per plan option for one outpatient in vitro procedure in accord with our criteria and in compliance with Hawaii law.”
Blue Care Network of Michigan
IVF coveredLists IVF among covered assisted reproduction services. Donor eggs, sperm or embryos and surrogacy are excluded.
“Assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, include, but not limited to the following procedures: - In-vitro fertilization (IVF)”
“Third party reproductive services (e.g., donor eggs, sperm or embryos, traditional or gestational surrogacy)”
Presbyterian Health Plan
3 cycles a yearUp to three IVF cycles per plan year, with prior authorization.
“In vitro Fertilization (IVF) • Up to three (3) cycles per plan year • Prior authorization is required.”
Independent Health
3 cycles per lifetimeThree cycles of IVF over the life of the insured.
“Services for Advanced Infertility: Coverage is limited to Three (3) cycles of IVF treatment over the life of the insured.”
UPMC Health Plan
$12,500 a yearFEHB and PSHB. IVF, its drugs and donor sperm or eggs within an annual maximum of $12,500 per member, with no annual cycle limit.
“All included within the annual benefit maximum of $12,500 per member. There are no annual cycle limits.”
Triple-S Salud
$15,000 a yearPuerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, FEHB and PSHB. Assisted reproduction, IVF included, up to $15,000 a year with precertification.
“ART services have an annual maximum of $15,000.”
Baylor Scott & White Health Plan
$15,000 a yearAn annual maximum of $15,000 for IVF and fertility preservation before treatment that causes infertility.
“Annual maximum benefit of $15,000 for IVF and Iatrogenic preservation infertility services.”
SelectHealth
3 cycles a yearIVF limited to three cycles a year.
“In vitro fertilization (IVF), limited to three cycles annually”
Calvo's SelectCare
3 cycles or moreGuam. IVF for three cycles or more, as deemed medically necessary.
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) - for three cycles or more, as deemed medically necessary”
How to confirm what FEHB covers for you
A policy or program page is a summary. Your own plan's documents are what it pays by.
- 1Find your plan's brochure on OPM's website or the plan's own, and read its infertility section: look for "in vitro fertilization" both under what is covered and under "Not covered", and note the limit (a dollar maximum, cycles or egg retrievals).
- 2During Open Season, November 9 to December 14, 2026, read the 2027 brochure before you choose: a plan's IVF benefit can change from one year to the next, and a carrier's options differ (FEP Blue Standard covers IVF, FEP Blue Focus does not).
- 3Ask the plan about prior approval before treatment: OPM's list says IVF needs it unless the plan says otherwise.
- 4If your plan does not cover IVF, it still has to cover IVF drugs for three cycles: ask how its pharmacy program handles them, and whether it offers negotiated rates for the procedures.
FEHB and IVF: common questions
Does FEHB cover IVF?
On some plans. OPM requires every FEHB carrier to cover IVF drugs for three cycles, but IVF itself is covered only by the plans that include it. OPM's latest list, for plan year 2025, names 25 FEHB plans and 11 PSHB plans; the plans' 2026 brochures show more, including FEP Blue Standard and GEHA High at $25,000 a year, Aetna's plans and UnitedHealthcare's Choice plans.
Which FEHB plans cover IVF in 2026?
By their 2026 brochures: FEP Blue Standard and GEHA High ($25,000 a year each), Aetna's plans (3 cycles a year), UnitedHealthcare's Choice plans and M.D. IPA (3 egg retrievals), the Foreign Service Benefit Plan, the Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (2 cycles a year), and regional plans including Kaiser Permanente in California, Colorado, Hawaii and the Mid-Atlantic, CareFirst BlueChoice, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO, Sharp, HMSA, UPMC, Independent Health, Presbyterian, SelectHealth, Triple-S Salud and Baylor Scott & White. Each is listed on this page with its limit.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield federal (FEP Blue) cover IVF?
FEP Blue Standard does: members who meet its definition of infertility get IVF and other assisted reproduction up to $25,000 paid a year, with prior approval, and IVF drugs do not count toward that. FEP Blue Focus lists IVF as not covered, though it covers IVF drugs for 3 cycles a year.
Does GEHA cover IVF?
GEHA's High Option does, in FEHB and PSHB: IVF up to a $25,000 annual maximum that includes procedures, supplies, and facility and anesthesia services. Check the brochure for any other GEHA option before you enroll.
Do postal workers' PSHB plans cover IVF?
The same way: OPM's 2025 list names 11 PSHB plans that cover IVF, and the 2026 PSHB brochures of FEP Blue Standard, GEHA High, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, CareFirst BlueChoice, UPMC and the Rural Carrier Benefit Plan state IVF coverage.
What changes for FEHB IVF coverage in 2027?
The 2027 plan brochures were not posted when we read these on October 12, 2026. OPM says 2027 rates and benefits are on its website and Open Season runs November 9 to December 14, 2026; read your plan's 2027 infertility section before you choose.
- OPM: IVF coverage, FEHB plans, Plan Year 2025 (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Plan year 2025)
- OPM: IVF coverage, PSHB plans, Plan Year 2025 (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Plan year 2025)
- OPM: Federal Benefits Open Season Highlights for Plan Year 2026 (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Plan year 2026)
- OPM FEHB Program Carrier Letter 2025-05 (Technical Guidance for 2026 Benefit Proposals) (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2025)
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan 2026 brochure (FEP Blue Focus, RI 71-017) (Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, Plan year 2026)
- OPM news release: 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2026)
- OPM FEHB Program Carrier Letter 2026-07 (Call Letter for Plan Year 2027) (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, March 31, 2026)
- fepblue.org: What's New for 2027 (Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, Plan year 2027)
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan 2026 brochure (FEP Blue Standard and Basic, RI 71-005) (Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, Plan year 2026)
- G.E.H.A Corporate Medical Policy: Infertility Services (GEHA, Effective Jan 1, 2026; next review September 2026)
- 2026 Aetna Direct / Aetna HealthFund HDHP brochure, RI 73-828 (Aetna, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Aetna Open Access / Aetna Saver brochure, RI 73-052 (Aetna, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Altius Health Plan brochure, RI 73-564 (Altius Health Plan (Aetna), Plan year 2026)
- 2026 UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Advanced (FEHB) brochure, RI 73-905 (UnitedHealthcare, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 M.D. IPA brochure, RI 73-100 (M.D. IPA (UnitedHealthcare), Plan year 2026)
- Foreign Service Benefit Plan 2026 plan brochure (RI 72-001) (Foreign Service Benefit Plan, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Rural Carrier Benefit Plan PSHB brochure, RI 72-012 (Rural Carrier Benefit Plan, Plan year 2026)
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-003) (Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Plan year 2026)
- Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-822) (Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Plan year 2026)
- Kaiser Permanente Fresno 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-889) (Kaiser Permanente Fresno, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Health Net of California brochure, RI 73-159 (Health Net of California, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Health Net of California brochure, RI 73-898 (Health Net of California, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO brochure, RI 73-877 (Anthem Blue Cross, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Sharp Health Plan brochure, RI 73-937 (Sharp Health Plan, Plan year 2026)
- Western Health Advantage 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-936) (Western Health Advantage, Plan year 2026)
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-019) (Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 CareFirst BlueChoice brochure, RI 73-718 (CareFirst BlueChoice, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States brochure, RI 73-047 (Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Kaiser Permanente Hawaii brochure, RI 73-005 (Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 HMSA Plan brochure, RI 73-010 (HMSA, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Blue Care Network of Michigan brochure, RI 73-153 (Blue Care Network of Michigan, Plan year 2026)
- Presbyterian Health Plan 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-563) (Presbyterian Health Plan, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Independent Health brochure, RI 73-103 (Independent Health, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 UPMC Health Plan brochure, RI 73-797 (UPMC Health Plan, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 Triple-S Salud brochure, RI 73-016 (Triple-S Salud, Plan year 2026)
- Baylor Scott & White Health Plan 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-881) (Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Plan year 2026)
- 2026 SelectHealth brochure, RI 73-865 (SelectHealth, Plan year 2026)
- Calvo's SelectCare 2026 plan brochure (RI 73-874) (Calvo's SelectCare, Plan year 2026)