Reviewed by Lina Akopians, MD, PhD, FACOG

Access to fertility care has expanded for many Californians, thanks to Senate Bill 729 (SB 729), which went into effect January 1, 2026.

Curious about what the law changed for fertility insurance coverage in California, and what it might mean for your own fertility journey? This article offers a clear overview of the new fertility coverage mandate.

What is SB 729?

California Senate Bill 729 is a mandate that requires certain employer-sponsored health insurance plans to include coverage for infertility diagnosis and fertility treatment.

What did SB 729 change about fertility coverage?

Under prior state law (since 1990), group health plans were required to offer coverage for certain infertility treatments. However, that mandate excluded in vitro fertilization (IVF), and employers were not obligated to incorporate the coverage into their plans.

SB 729 expands the scope of covered fertility services and requires qualified employers to include fertility benefits as part of their health plans.

What fertility services are covered under SB 729?

The mandate requires eligible employer health plans to cover:

Infertility diagnosis and treatment for those unable to conceive for medical and non-medical reasons
IVF, including up to three egg retrievals per person and unlimited embryo transfers
Fertility medications
Monitoring, including blood work, ultrasounds, and testing
Medically necessary fertility preservation, such as egg freezing before cancer treatment
Third-party reproduction, including the use of donor eggs, donor sperm, or a gestational carrier

Does SB 729 apply to me?

SB 729 applies to large employer-sponsored health plans in California — generally, employers with 101 or more employees. It does not apply to small group plans, Medi-Cal plans, self-funded plans, or religious organizations.

Because coverage depends on your specific employer and plan structure, the best way to determine if SB 729 applies to you is to ask your HR team or insurance provider.

Can I work with fertility specialists who are out of network?

Yes. Even if a fertility clinic does not contract with your insurance plan, you may still be able to receive reimbursement through out-of-network benefits, if your policy includes them.

Some health insurance plans offer partial reimbursement for care delivered by providers outside of your network. In these situations, patients typically pay the clinic directly and submit a superbill to their insurance carrier for reimbursement.

If you are considering working with an out-of-network fertility specialist, ask your insurance provider:

Do I have out-of-network fertility coverage?
What percentage of services are reimbursed?
Which fertility services are reimbursed?
Are fertility medications included?
Is there a lifetime maximum or reimbursement cap?

While submitting claims requires some additional coordination, many patients choose this route in order to work with the physician and clinic that feel like the best fit for their care.

How Will SB 729 Affect Fertility Care in California?

For many patients, SB 729 will open the door to treatment that may not have previously been financially accessible. With increased access often comes increased demand. Research has shown that “state-level mandates related to coverage of infertility treatment are associated with a substantial and statistically significant increase in utilization of services.”

As more Californians pursue fertility care, clinics that accept insurance may see higher patient volume. In some settings, this could translate into:

Longer wait times for initial consultations
More tightly scheduled monitoring visits
Less one-on-one time with your physician

While care quality shouldn’t change, your experience may feel different depending on the structure of the practice you go to. This is important to keep in mind as you choose the right fertility clinic and physician to help you grow your family.

What You Can Expect at Beverly Hills Reproductive Center

Beverly Hills Reproductive Center is an intimate fertility clinic in Beverly Hills with a highly personalized approach to care.

As a one-physician practice with an intentionally defined patient volume, we spend more time getting to know you and your medical history to create the best plan for your goals. We also take an innovative approach to treatment, participating in research and adopting new technologies to offer advanced, evidence-based care.

Our founder and sole physician, Dr. Akopians, is directly involved in each stage of your treatment and personally performs your ultrasounds and procedures. Your care will not rotate between multiple physicians — the doctor you chose is always the doctor you see. Our clinical team consists of experienced, credentialed nurses.

Because our patient volume is intentionally limited, we provide frequent updates at key milestones of your journey and it’s easier to get a hold of us with any questions. It’s common for patients to feel like a number at larger, commercialized fertility centers. Here, you’re our priority.

Looking To Start Your Fertility Journey Soon?

Beverly Hills Reproductive Center is currently accepting new patients, and we’d love to get you in soon. Our Beverly Hills fertility clinic manages caseloads and access so we can typically schedule first appointments within a few weeks, rather than months.

Request a consultation with Dr. Akopians to talk about your family-building goals and the fertility care experience you’re looking for.

What You Need to Know About SB 729: California’s New Fertility Coverage Law