The Trump administration has launched a two-part plan to lower the cost of fertility treatments, issuing new federal guidance that allows employers to offer standalone IVF benefits and striking a deal with drugmaker EMD Serono to cut medication prices.
A regulatory carve-out: The new federal guidance allows companies to offer fertility treatments as an “excepted benefit.” This classification lifts fertility coverage out of the main health plan, freeing it from certain Affordable Care Act requirements, much like dental or vision plans. The policy is a clear advantage for small- and medium-sized businesses—a group the White House says has historically offered only “sparse” coverage.
The second punch: The administration also struck a deal with EMD Serono, a major manufacturer of fertility therapies. According to a report from yourNEWS, the discounted medications are expected to become available in early 2026 through a new federal clearinghouse called TrumpRx.gov. In a statement, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said President Trump was “keeping his promises by taking decisive action to make health care more affordable for women.”
High cost, high demand: The move addresses a significant financial barrier, with a single IVF cycle running between $14,000 and $20,000 on average, according to data from ARC Fertility. The benefit is also highly sought after; a recent survey showed that nearly two-thirds of employees planning a family would switch jobs for a company that provided fertility benefits.
By tackling both insurance rules and drug pricing, the administration is creating new pathways for IVF affordability that could significantly shift the landscape for both employers and families.
Also on our radar: In other news, the WHO now reports that infertility affects 1 in 6 adults worldwide, highlighting the growing scale of the issue. The drug price deal may have also been part of a quid pro quo, with the administration offering tariff relief in exchange. Looking ahead, federal agencies are reportedly exploring how to allow employers to offer self-insured fertility benefits, which could further change how companies structure these plans.
The Trump administration has launched a two-part plan to lower the cost of fertility treatments, issuing new federal guidance that allows employers to offer standalone IVF benefits and striking a deal with drugmaker EMD Serono to cut medication prices.
A regulatory carve-out: The new federal guidance allows companies to offer fertility treatments as an “excepted benefit.” This classification lifts fertility coverage out of the main health plan, freeing it from certain Affordable Care Act requirements, much like dental or vision plans. The policy is a clear advantage for small- and medium-sized businesses—a group the White House says has historically offered only “sparse” coverage.
The second punch: The administration also struck a deal with EMD Serono, a major manufacturer of fertility therapies. According to a report from yourNEWS, the discounted medications are expected to become available in early 2026 through a new federal clearinghouse called TrumpRx.gov. In a statement, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said President Trump was “keeping his promises by taking decisive action to make health care more affordable for women.”
High cost, high demand: The move addresses a significant financial barrier, with a single IVF cycle running between $14,000 and $20,000 on average, according to data from ARC Fertility. The benefit is also highly sought after; a recent survey showed that nearly two-thirds of employees planning a family would switch jobs for a company that provided fertility benefits.
By tackling both insurance rules and drug pricing, the administration is creating new pathways for IVF affordability that could significantly shift the landscape for both employers and families.
Also on our radar: In other news, the WHO now reports that infertility affects 1 in 6 adults worldwide, highlighting the growing scale of the issue. The drug price deal may have also been part of a quid pro quo, with the administration offering tariff relief in exchange. Looking ahead, federal agencies are reportedly exploring how to allow employers to offer self-insured fertility benefits, which could further change how companies structure these plans.
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