FEHB Fertility Coverage 2026: Which Plans Cover IVF
BCBS Standard and GEHA High cover IVF up to $25,000. All FEHB plans cover 3 IVF drug cycles. Compare plans, costs, and how to switch.
FEHB Fertility Coverage 2026: Which Plans Cover IVF and How Much You'll Pay
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Reading Time: 9 min
IVF costs $15,000 to $30,000 per cycle. If you're a federal employee, some of that is covered by your FEHB plan. But which plans? How much? And what if you're on the wrong one?
The short answer: BCBS Standard and GEHA High both offer $25,000 in IVF coverage. All FEHB plans cover IVF drugs for 3 cycles a year. And starting in 2026, every carrier must cover fertility preservation for people facing cancer treatment.
No one else has written a practical comparison of FEHB fertility benefits. The OPM reference PDF is unreadable. Checkbook's data is behind a paywall. FedWeek covered the news but not the "what should I actually do" part. So here it is.
Key Takeaways
- BCBS Standard and GEHA High are the two nationwide FEHB plans that cover IVF procedures, each up to $25,000
- All FEHB carriers must cover IVF-related drugs for 3 cycles per year, even plans that don't cover the procedures
- 45 plan options offered IVF coverage beyond OPM's minimum in 2025, the highest number in FEHB history
- Fertility preservation (egg/sperm freezing) is now mandatory for all carriers when you face treatments like chemotherapy that could cause infertility
- You can switch plans during Open Season (November-December) or after a qualifying life event
The two nationwide plans with IVF coverage
If you want IVF coverage and you're not in an HMO area, your options are straightforward. Two nationwide plans cover IVF procedures in 2026:
| Plan | IVF Benefit | Type | 2026 Self+Family Premium (biweekly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCBS Standard | Up to $25,000 | Fee-for-service | Check FEHB Calculator for your area |
| GEHA High | Up to $25,000 | Fee-for-service | Check FEHB Calculator for your area |
Both plans are available to federal employees anywhere in the country. The $25,000 benefit covers IVF procedures, not just drugs. Use the FEHB Calculator to compare total costs including premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums.
Not every plan that covers IVF drugs covers the actual procedures. The distinction matters. IVF drugs alone can run $3,000 to $5,000 per cycle, but the full procedure (monitoring, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, lab work) is where most of the cost sits. BCBS Standard and GEHA High cover both.
What every FEHB plan covers (the baseline)
Regardless of which plan you're on, OPM requires all FEHB carriers to provide a minimum level of fertility-related coverage in 2026:
- IVF-related drugs for 3 cycles per year
- Fertility preservation for iatrogenic infertility (when a medically necessary treatment like chemotherapy could cause infertility)
- Fertility preservation covers: egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, cryopreservation, and 1 year of storage
The fertility preservation mandate is new for 2026. If you're facing cancer treatment or another medical procedure that could affect your fertility, your plan must cover the cost of preserving eggs or sperm, no matter which FEHB plan you're on.
This is separate from elective egg freezing. The mandate only applies when infertility is a side effect of a necessary medical treatment.
HMO plans with IVF coverage (DC area and beyond)
If you're in an area served by HMO plans, you may have more IVF options. HMO plans in states with IVF mandates (like Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts) must meet those state requirements, which often go further than OPM's baseline.
DC-area HMO plans known to offer IVF coverage in 2026:
- Aetna Open Access High
- CareFirst Standard
- CareFirst Blue Value Plus
- BlueChoice HDHP
- Kaiser Standard
- Kaiser High
- Kaiser Prosper
Coverage details vary by plan. Some cap the number of cycles. Some have age restrictions. Check the plan brochure or call the carrier directly for specifics.
If you're outside the DC area, check whether your local HMO plans are in a state with an IVF mandate. States with mandates include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, among others.
How to figure out your plan's fertility coverage
The fastest way to check:
- Find your plan brochure at OPM.gov
- Search the PDF for "infertility" or "IVF" or "assisted reproductive"
- Look for what's covered (drugs only vs. procedures), dollar limits, and cycle limits
Or check the OPM IVF reference document, which lists plans with IVF coverage. The 2025 version lists 45 plan options. OPM has not yet published the 2026 update, but coverage has generally expanded, not contracted.
What IVF actually costs (and what coverage saves you)
A single IVF cycle typically costs $15,000 to $30,000 when you add everything up. Here's where the money goes:
| Component | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| IVF medications | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Monitoring (bloodwork, ultrasounds) | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Egg retrieval procedure | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Lab and embryo culture | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Embryo transfer | $2,000 - $3,000 |
| Anesthesia | $500 - $1,000 |
| Genetic testing (PGT, optional) | $3,000 - $6,000 |
With BCBS Standard or GEHA High, you get $25,000 toward these costs. That can cover most or all of one cycle, depending on your clinic and whether you opt for genetic testing.
Even if your plan only covers IVF drugs (the OPM baseline), that saves you $3,000 to $5,000 per cycle on medications alone, for up to 3 cycles per year.
Most people need 1 to 3 IVF cycles. The CDC reports the average live birth rate per IVF cycle is about 30% for women under 35 and decreases with age.
How to switch plans for IVF coverage
If you're on a plan without IVF coverage and want to switch, you have two windows:
Open Season (November - December)
The annual FEHB Open Season runs from the second Monday in November through the second Monday in December. You can switch to any available plan. Changes take effect the first pay period in January.
This is your guaranteed window. No qualifying event needed.
Qualifying life events (mid-year)
Certain life events let you change plans outside Open Season:
- Marriage
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Divorce
- Loss of other health coverage
- Move to a new area that changes your plan options
You generally have 60 days from the qualifying event to make a change.
If you're planning IVF, the strategic move is to switch during Open Season to BCBS Standard or GEHA High before starting treatment. Don't wait until you're mid-cycle to discover your plan doesn't cover procedures.
For help comparing plan costs, use the FEHB Calculator. Also see our FEHB Plan Evaluation Guide for a deeper look at how to choose between plans.
The Family Building FEHB Fairness Act
You may have seen headlines about legislation to expand FEHB fertility coverage. Here's the status:
The Family Building FEHB Fairness Act (H.R. 1670), introduced by Sen. Duckworth (D-IL) and Rep. Connolly (D-VA), would require all FEHB carriers to cover IVF and assisted reproductive technology. It's a bipartisan bill that has been reintroduced multiple times but has not yet passed.
Separately, in February 2026, Rep. Walkinshaw (D-VA) and Sen. Duckworth sent a letter to OPM requesting that all FEHB and PSHB plans match the fertility benefits available through DC Health Link.
The current coverage expansions (IVF drugs for 3 cycles, fertility preservation) came through OPM administrative action, not legislation. OPM has been gradually expanding fertility requirements through its annual Call Letter to carriers. Whether Congress passes H.R. 1670 or not, OPM has been moving in this direction on its own.
Compare FEHB plans for fertility coverage
Before Open Season, run the numbers. Use the FEHB Calculator to compare premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs for plans with IVF coverage.
The premium difference between your current plan and one that covers IVF might be smaller than you expect, especially when you factor in $25,000 in potential IVF benefits. A plan that costs $50 more per biweekly pay period ($1,300/year) but covers a $20,000 IVF cycle is worth the switch.
See the FEHB Premiums 2026 breakdown for detailed cost comparisons across plan types.
Frequently asked questions
Which FEHB plans cover IVF in 2026?
Two nationwide plans cover IVF procedures: BCBS Standard and GEHA High, each with a $25,000 benefit. At least 45 plan options offer IVF coverage beyond the OPM minimum. All FEHB carriers cover IVF drugs for 3 cycles per year. HMO plans in states with IVF mandates may offer additional coverage.
How much does IVF cost for federal employees?
A single IVF cycle typically costs $15,000 to $30,000 out of pocket. With BCBS Standard or GEHA High, you get up to $25,000 in IVF coverage. Even without a plan that covers IVF procedures, all FEHB carriers cover 3 cycles of IVF drugs annually.
Can I switch FEHB plans to get IVF coverage?
You can switch during Open Season (November - December). Some qualifying life events like marriage, birth, or adoption allow mid-year changes. Your new plan takes effect the first day of the pay period after your enrollment is processed.
Does FEHB cover fertility preservation before cancer treatment?
Yes. As of 2026, all FEHB carriers must cover fertility preservation for iatrogenic infertility. This includes egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, cryopreservation, and one year of storage for individuals facing treatments like chemotherapy that may cause infertility.
What is the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act?
H.R. 1670 is a bipartisan bill that would require all FEHB carriers to cover IVF and assisted reproductive technology. It has not yet passed. Current IVF coverage expansions come from OPM administrative action through the annual Call Letter to carriers.
Related resources
- FEHB Calculator: Compare plan costs including premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums
- FEHB Guide 2026: Complete guide to FEHB enrollment, plan types, and coverage
- FEHB Premiums 2026: Detailed premium breakdowns by plan type
- FEHB Plan Evaluation Guide: How to choose the right FEHB plan for your situation
- RESOLVE: State IVF Mandates: Check whether your state requires IVF coverage
Sources: OPM 2025 FEHB IVF Information, FedWeek: New Request to Boost Fertility Coverage, Congress.gov: H.R. 1670, GovExec: What FEHB Changes Mean for 2026, Checkbook: OPM 2026 FEHB Policy Goals