Who We Are
The Alliance for Fertility Preservation is a 501c3 charitable organization. The Alliance is made up of a team of professionals who have come together to advance the field of fertility preservation. Our members are recognized leaders with expertise in all aspects of fertility preservation including, oncology, reproductive endocrinology, urology, psychology, oncology nursing, and reproductive law.
Our focus is fertility preservation for cancer patients. We understand how overwhelming a diagnosis of cancer can be. So many aspects of an individual’s life are altered the moment they hear those words, “You have cancer.” And while many organizations address various facets of cancer and cancer treatment, we have chosen to help alleviate one of the most distressing, life-altering consequences of cancer treatment – infertility.
Our Mission
To increase information, resources, and access to fertility preservation for those facing a medical risk to future parenthood.
Our Vision
We envision a day when fertility preservation is a standard facet of cancer care. All patients will receive timely information, support, and referrals so that they can make the decisions needed to protect their individual reproductive and parenthood goals.
These decisions cannot be fully actionable until all patients have insurance coverage for appropriate and medically necessary fertility preservation interventions. We believe that this is a matter of basic fairness and reproductive equity.
Our Work
Since our founding in 2012, we have worked to build out informational resources for patients and providers, and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for fertility preservation services through participation in professional conferences and meetings. Since 2017, we have worked in collaboration with national partners as well as other stakeholders including state-based working groups, and individual patients and professionals to advocate for expanded coverage for fertility preservation.
Advocacy
We believe that all patients have right to be fully informed about the effects of their medical treatment on their reproductive system and their ability to have children in the future. This means information not just about the risks, but also about the options for preserving and protecting the chance of future parenthood.
These options are only true options if patients can access them. Without insurance coverage for medically necessary fertility preservation treatments, many patients simply cannot afford sperm, egg, embryo, or tissue banking, especially in the midst of distressing, often costly, cancer treatment.
Our advocacy work seeks to raise awareness about these issues with insurers, legislators, and other policymakers to, hopefully, affect positive change for patients.
Grassroots Advocacy
If you are interested in getting involved in our efforts, please reach out at: advocacy@allianceforfertilitypreservation.org.
“Advocating for Insurance Coverage for Fertility Preservation”
Joyce Reinecke, J.D., Executive Director
Alliance for Fertility Preservation
Oncofertility Consortium
Virtual Grand Rounds, July 2017
Federal Laws & Legislation
New Infertility Treatment Bill Introduced in U.S. House and Senate: Late last month, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Sen Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act, H.R. 5965 and S. 2920, which will help individuals and families affected by infertility by requiring health plans in group and individual markets to cover treatment for the disease. The bill would also require coverage of fertility preservation services for patients undergoing medically necessary procedures that may result in infertility.
Access Initiatives
The AFP has several projects that are focused on expanding access to fertility preservation for patients through non-legislative means.
The California Managed Healthcare Initiative
In 2016, the AFP studied and considered alternative approaches to legislative mandates for fertility preservation insurance coverage. After meetings with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Managed Healthcare in California, a potential channel for change emerged: the managed healthcare system’s Independent Medical Review (IMR) mechanism. In 2016, funds were expended to develop resources about this process, to catalyze patient and physician use of this process to challenge coverage denials. (Funding for this project was provided by EMD SERONO.)
Coalition Building
In 2016, the AFP began building active partnerships with other young adult cancer organizations and infertility organizations to work together toward coverage.
- The Coalition to Protect Parenthood After Cancer (CPPAC): This is a national coalition of organizations, companies, and institutions who have decided to pool resources and ideas to call for coverage for the patients that we each represent. The AFP is proud to be a founding member of CPPAC. To learn more about the group, or to get involved, visit the CPPAC website.