News Release

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
Commissioner Holly C. Bakke

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 9, 2002

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
MARY CAFFREY OR PETER HARTT
(609)292-5064

HEALTH PLANS PUT ON NOTICE: INFERTILITY COSTS MUST BE COVERED

TRENTON - The Department of Banking and Insurance today directed all HMOs and other health carriers in New Jersey to immediately comply with a state law mandating infertility benefits.

Carriers must immediately cease practices that are leading to improper denials of infertility benefits and reverse any improper claim denials or preauthorization denials that have already occurred.

The directive, made in Bulletin No. 02-09, cites several examples of practices that clearly violate the law. Carriers engaged in such practices should be reminded that violations of the law can lead to fines and other sanctions.

A copy of the Bulletin will be posted on the Department's web site, www.state.nj.us/dobi .

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