SF 1961 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Infertility treatment and standard fertility preservation services coverage by health plans requirement, MinnesotaCare and medical assistance coverage of infertility treatment and standard fertility preservation services requirement, and appropriation

Minnesota Senate File 1961 requires most health insurance plans covering maternity benefits to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility diagnosis, treatment, and standard fertility preservation services (like egg freezing before cancer treatment). It mandates that cost-sharing (copays, deductibles) for these services cannot exceed the level applied to maternity coverage, and prohibits limits on coverage duration or services. The bill applies to MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs, with the state reimbursing health plans for the additional costs starting January 1, 2026. This directly affects individuals seeking infertility care or fertility preservation, ensuring they face no greater out-of-pocket costs than for maternity services.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Apr 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating significant changes to the effective dates and funding sources. The most critical policy shift is the delay of the law's implementation from 2026 to 2027, likely to allow for additional federal approval processes. Additionally, the funding mechanism for reimbursing health plans was clarified to explicitly come from the state's general fund, and new provisions were added to ensure continued coverage for specific drugs if they are removed from insurance formularies.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was delayed; services and coverage mandated by the act will now begin on January 1, 2027, instead of January 1, 2026.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new infertility coverage requirements was changed from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, and the baseline for reporting costs was updated accordingly.

FISCAL

The appropriation for reimbursing health plans was explicitly specified to come from the 'general fund,' whereas the previous version did not name the specific source.

REQUIREMENT

New clauses were added to guarantee that medical assistance continues to cover specific drugs for a patient for the rest of the calendar year if the drug is removed from the insurance formulary due to safety concerns or manufacturer withdrawal.

TECHNICAL

The bill text references were updated to cite the 'Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement' instead of the 2024 statutes, reflecting the legislative session timeline.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 Suspended adopt previous committee report

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Committee

Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6, referred to Rules and Administration

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass and re-referred to Finance

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Health and Human Services

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors