Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
Published on: March 25, 2021
Fertility benefits in graduate medical education: impact of state mandates
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA. jennifer.law001@luhs.org.
Background:
Graduate medical education (GME) in the United States coincides with peak reproductive years, yet institutional fertility benefit policies remain poorly characterized. This study examines coverage disparities and their relationship with state fertility insurance mandates among physician trainees.
Methods:
Cross-sectional review of fertility benefits conducted in the United States analyzing the top 50 U.S. medical schools (US News and World Report 2024). Data collected March-April 2025 from GME websites and employment benefits pages analyzed coverage for initial infertility workup, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), cycle limitations, and fertility preservation. A chi-square test of independence was used to evaluate the association between state mandate status and the availability of fertility benefits. State mandates were verified through Resolve.org and state insurance department websites.
Key Observations:
62% (31/50) of GME programs offered fertility coverage. Mandated states were significantly more likely to offer fertility benefits (78.1% vs 33.3%; p = 0.004), though coverage remained inconsistent due to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) exemptions, vague descriptions, and lifetime caps. Only 3.2% (1/31) of covered programs explicitly included IVF or fertility preservation coverage.
Conclusions:
State mandates improve but do not guarantee complete fertility benefit access for medical trainees. GME programs must proactively address structural gaps through comprehensive benefits, transparent policies, and fertility education to advance trainee wellness, gender equity, and workforce retention.
More Related Videos
06:40Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
09:55Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Infertility in Males
Standards of Care I
Spermatogenesis
In Vitro Fertilization
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...