The Kindbody Blog

Your resource for all things fertility, wellness, and women's health

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Starting July 1, 2025, California will implement one of the most inclusive fertility coverage laws in the nation. Senate Bill 729 (SB 729) significantly expands access to infertility care, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), for all Californians—regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Who’s covered?

The new law requires large employers in California—those with 100 or more employees and state-regulated health insurance plans—to cover both infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF.

What makes SB 729 stand out is its explicit inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals, same-sex couples, and single parents. For the first time, these groups are guaranteed equal access to coverage without needing to meet outdated or exclusionary definitions of infertility.

When does coverage start?

  • July 1, 2025: Coverage begins for fully insured large group plans.
  • January 1, 2026: Many plans on a calendar-year cycle will adopt the benefit upon renewal.
  • July 1, 2027: Coverage begins for California state employees under CalPERS health plans.

*Governor Gavin Newsom had asked the legislature to delay the start date to January 1, 2026, to allow time for California’s state benchmark plan to be updated. However, no legislation has been passed to make that change official. So unless that happens, the law goes into effect as originally planned—July 1, 2025. That said, plans that renew on a calendar-year basis may not implement the changes until January 1, 2026, because that’s when their new plan year starts.

What’s covered?

The law requires large group health insurance plans (generally offered by employers with 100 or more employees) to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF. This can significantly lower or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for eligible individuals.

Plans must include coverage for:

  • Up to three completed oocyte (egg) retrievals
  • Unlimited embryo transfers, based on ASRM's single embryo transfer guidelines. This ensures that more patients can access multiple cycles of treatment if needed.

Does the new law cover fertility preservation like egg freezing?

The law does not explicitly mandate coverage for elective egg freezing for fertility preservation. However, since IVF coverage includes oocyte retrievals, some components of egg freezing may be covered if they are part of a medical treatment plan such as before undergoing treatments like chemotherapy that can harm reproductive health. 

When will my insurance start paying for my fertility services?

Currently, coverage under SB 729 is set to begin on July 1, 2025. However, it may only apply to insurance plans that renew or are updated on or after that date. If an employer’s health plan renews at a later point in the year, the required fertility coverage may be added when the plan renews, at any time during the following 11 months. So, for some employees, coverage may not begin until later in the 2025–2026 plan year, depending on their employer’s renewal schedule. State employees who are covered under Cal-PERS will gain coverage effective January 1, 2027.

When should I schedule my fertility treatments? Should I wait for insurance coverage?

The decision to start fertility treatment is deeply personal and should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. While California’s new fertility coverage law takes effect on July 1, 2025, the exact timing of when your insurance will begin covering these services depends on your employer’s health plan renewal schedule—and for some, coverage may not begin until as late as 2027.

Because age and other individual factors can significantly impact fertility, your provider may advise you not to delay treatment while waiting for insurance coverage. We encourage you to discuss options with your healthcare provider and determine the best course of action based on your medical needs and timeline.

How do I find out how this new law applies to me?

We encourage you to reach out to both your employer/benefits team and insurance provider to confirm when coverage will begin, as timing and specific benefits may vary depending on your plan and renewal schedule.

A milestone in advancing reproductive health equity

One in six people are affected by infertility worldwide. SB 729 represents a significant milestone in advancing reproductive health equity in California. By requiring insurance coverage for fertility treatments and explicitly including LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents, and others historically left out, the law begins to close long-standing gaps in access to care. It helps remove financial and discriminatory barriers that have made fertility support out of reach for far too many. SB 729 is a step toward making family-building possible for all Californians, regardless of how they hope to grow their families. 

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Seasoned Healthcare Executive Brings Three Decades of Fertility Expertise to Kindbody’s Mission of Expanding Access to Care

Kindbody, the leading national fertility clinic network and global family-building benefits provider for employers, announced today that its Board of Directors has named David Stern as Chief Executive Officer. Bringing more than three decades of experience in the women's healthcare industry, Stern will take one of the nation's largest and best known fertility brands into its next stage of growth. Kindbody serves patients at 27 state-of-the-art signature clinics and IVF labs, 400+ partner clinics, and in 113 countries around the world.

“David’s unparalleled leadership and three decades of expertise in women’s health uniquely position him to lead Kindbody into a bold new era of growth and innovation," said Linda Mintz, Chairperson of Kindbody's Board. “As reproductive healthcare takes center stage in the national conversation, there has never been a more exciting moment to expand Kindbody's impact and empower more patients on their family-building journeys. Under David’s guidance, we are poised to redefine the future of fertility care—expanding access, advancing technology, and realizing our mission of accessible and affordable fertility care for all.”

Prior to Kindbody, Stern served as Chief Executive Officer of Boston IVF for five years, leading one of the nation’s largest and most respected fertility networks. Over the course of his distinguished three-decade career in the fertility and women’s health industries, he has held several key leadership positions. Notably, as CEO of Symbiomix Therapeutics, he spearheaded the company’s transition from development to the successful commercial launch of Solosec, culminating in its acquisition by Lupin Pharmaceuticals in 2017. Stern has also held senior executive roles at Merck Serono, where he served as Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Fertility Business Franchise, and at EMD Serono as Executive Vice President of Endocrinology within their biopharmaceutical division. His extensive experience further includes strategic leadership at Celmatix, Ohana, and OvaScience, where he was instrumental in building commercial teams, shaping corporate strategy, and expanding scientific partnerships across the women’s healthcare landscape. Stern holds an MBA with a concentration in International Marketing and Management from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Brandeis University.

“I am truly honored to join a company that has set the standard for innovation and leadership in reproductive healthcare,” said David Stern. “Kindbody’s commitment to patient-centered care and its trailblazing model—as the only family-building benefits provider for employers that also operates its own network of clinics—is transforming the way people access fertility services. There has never been a more exciting time to be part of Kindbody’s mission of accessible and affordable fertility care for all. I’m eager to build on the company’s strong foundation of clinical excellence by strengthening our operational infrastructure and investing in the exceptional team that will drive our next chapter of growth and impact.”

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We know that deciding when — or whether — to grow your family is one of the most personal choices you’ll ever make. And in today’s world, that decision feels more layered than ever.

Between rising costs of living, shifting life goals, and changes in reproductive access across the U.S., more people — especially women in their 20s and 30s — are exploring options like egg freezing as a way to take control of their future fertility.

Here’s what you should know: your employer-sponsored benefits through Kindbody are here to support you every step of the way.

Why More Women Are Freezing Their Eggs

Today, egg freezing isn’t just a medical procedure — it’s a proactive step. It gives you more time, more flexibility, and more peace of mind as you build the life that feels right for you.

You may be:

  • Focused on your career, education, or personal goals
  • Not ready to start a family right now — or unsure if you want to
  • Curious about your fertility and what your options really are

Whatever your reason, you deserve support without stigma or pressure.

What Your Kindbody Benefit May Include:

If your employer offers Kindbody as a benefit, you may have access to:

  • Fertility hormone testing (like AMH and FSH)
  • Personalized consults with top reproductive endocrinologists
  • Egg freezing procedures, medication, and long-term storage
  • Holistic services like mental health support, nutrition, and wellness counseling
  • Beautiful, modern clinics across the country — or virtual care, wherever you are

Ready to learn more?

Activate your benefit or schedule your egg freezing consultation.

We’re proud to offer benefits that support every stage of life — and every path to parenthood. No matter where you are in your journey, we’ve got your back.

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Meet Lindsey and Jordan, a couple who overcame fibroids and male factor infertility to build their family with the help of Kindbody Washington D.C.

Lindsay shares her story, in her own words...

From Anxious to Able

I was extremely anxious to start this journey, but Kindbody was there for me every step of the way.

The Kindbody Team

The nurses, doctors, and front desk staff always made me feel welcomed, answered any questions we had, and were very supportive throughout the journey.

Ease of Scheduling

It was very convenient to be able to schedule such early appointments, so I didn’t have to miss any work when I was going so often.

Don't Lose Hope

It’s a long process, but worth every minute and dollar spent.

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In recognition of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, we are proud to share the powerful stories of families whose journeys to parenthood were made possible through the partnership between the Boomer Esiason Foundation and Kindbody. These families represent what’s possible today for people living with CF—and the importance of reproductive healthcare access for all.

Guest post by Megan 

I’m Megan, I have cystic fibrosis (CF)  and went through IVF to have my first and only child using a grant from BEF. 

I first heard about the BEF IVF grant through social media and email but hesitated to apply after having an unsuccessful IVF journey with another clinic. We had tried with IVF for about three years on and off in between infections, blockages, travel and other life events. We felt the only thing we gained from it was trauma, so we were coping with that and we were ready to call it quits without accumulating any more disappointment. 

My CF doctor brought it (the BEF grant) up to me at my next appointment. She is very active in reproductive studies and knew our journey thus far. She encouraged me to apply so we talked it over and decided that if we were given the grant we’d try again at a new clinic. 

When we received the call that we were getting the grant I cried on the spot. I had a rush of excitement and despite knowing that it could be false hope, I still felt hopeful that we could be parents. 

Kindbody was great to work with. Having been to a colder, more sterile-feeling IVF facility before, we were surprised at how warm and inviting it was. The doctor told us that studies showed that a more relaxed and cozy environment helped increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. 

My doctor at Kindbody was more receptive to hearing about trials that my CF doctor discussed with me. Other doctors in the past weren’t as open to trying new things so I struggled with different stages of treatment. Some CF patients don’t absorb medication well through their skin because of the higher presence of salt. Some IVF medications are patches so Kindbody allowed me to try injections instead and we saw much better results from that. I really appreciated having a doctor and a clinic that let me advocate for myself and they wanted to hear more ideas from my CF doctor. The whole process went better than I imagined from start to end, we decided to let the gender be a surprise and use the healthiest embryo. We had a successful transfer on the first try. 

Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t the first time we were hearing that we were pregnant and going to be parents so, when the call came this time around, we stymied our excitement. We didn’t share the news. I remember truly believing that if I said it out loud it would be over. We waited, and waited, we knew it was high risk. We wanted to get to the second trimester before sharing with anyone. When we made it to week 14 and had good scans, we called our baby’s grandparents first. There were tears and cheers galore— this baby was so wanted and loved! 

Throughout pregnancy we had some hiccups—gestational diabetes (going into it as a pre-diabetic, everyone told me it would be an issue sooner than normal so please get yourself tested earlier! ) An infection came that I tried my hardest to beat but after about two months and hitting week 36 I was getting worse and had to go in-patient. I wept at the news. No nesting period, no final walk out of the house as a family of two, no cute little hospital bag packed for a two night stay. Instead, panic and the realization that we needed help ASAP. 

When I went to write our baby’s birth story in her book I blanked. I couldn’t put down that I was there for two weeks before she came. It didn’t feel right to have such a heavy topic permanently documented in her book. I don’t want her to know how sick I was. So when I tell her about her birth, I start with us checking into the L&D floor and how we watched a movie and listened to Leon Bridges and waited for her to come, so excited to meet her and love her forever! I will tell her that her dad cried when he said “it’s a girl!”. A perfect, healthy, beautiful, little girl was born on that day and she changed our lives forever for the better. 

In hindsight, after giving birth, I realized there was no way I could have given birth without the antibiotics. I wouldn’t have been able to manage my breathing to get through it. I wouldn’t have been able to push without coughing. There was no other way and so I’m grateful to my clinic for making that call which seemed so unfair to me at the time. 

I haven’t thought much about how we’ll tell our baby how she was made, I just want her to know she was so wanted and is so loved. She is everything, our whole world, and we would do it all over again, all of it, to have the privilege of being her parents. 

It’s no coincidence that both CF and IVF patients are referred to as Warriors, neither are known for being easy. If you have CF or your partner has CF and you’re thinking about expanding your family, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way. 

  • It’s a long process. The person I knew who went through IVF at the same clinic before me did her egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and had a baby all within the same year. I thought that was normal going into it and set myself up for disappointment because it took us four years. I also compared how many healthy embryos we had and obsessed over other things that were unnecessary. It only takes one healthy embryo and someone without CF will likely have a completely different journey. 
  • There can be hiccups, delays, disappointments, heartbreaks, and that’s all okay and normal. Take breaks, enjoy your partner, if a cycle is cancelled or you need some R&R take a spontaneous trip or plan something special for the two of you. Listen to your body and take breaks when you need one. 
  • If you don’t have a therapist or counselor I recommend finding one with some fertility experience. It can be a long process and takes an emotional toll. Your partner can (and should) support you, but there is guilt that comes along with being the one with fertility issues and they may not be able to help you work through that alone. Also anxiety, so much anxiety.

Megan received care at Kindbody Dallas with Dr. Rinku Mehta

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In recognition of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, we are proud to share the powerful stories of families whose journeys to parenthood were made possible through the partnership between the Boomer Esiason Foundation and Kindbody. These families represent what’s possible today for people living with CF—and the importance of reproductive healthcare access for all.

Guest post by the Khourys

We are the Khourys! Christina was diagnosed with CF at four weeks old, and through years of wonderful care with various teams, we heard about the BEF grant opportunity through my current social worker. We applied for the grant and the rest was history!

How did BEF and Kindbody support impact your journey? 

BEF impacted our journey by giving us hope that there was financial support available to us for IVF. Prior to the grant, we were preparing for years of saving funds to get the chance to try IVF, which was going to impact our family-building timeline, especially with consideration to Christina's age and health. The BEF grant helped us stick closer to our preferred timeline by significantly buffering the financial burden of IVF. 

Tell us about your IVF journey with Kindbody

Kindbody has been an accessible facility due to their use of technology. Having to travel a bit to our chosen location, we appreciated the communication at our fingertips through their portal. The team has been friendly and patient with all of our questions!

How has parenthood changed your life? 

We literally cannot describe how much joy parenthood has added to our lives. We adore our baby girl more than we could explain and parenting her together is the brightest part of our days, every day. We have a very strong marriage, but watching each other bond with our girl, as we also bond as a family has connected us more than we expected. We are also more motivated to continue with healthy and productive life choices, to raise our daughter in a positive environment. We are also reevaluating our plans, beliefs, and ideas, to make sure we are walking the walk and talking the talk that we hope for our girl.

What would you say to others in the CF community who hope to start a family?

I would say that hope is alive, especially with the BEF grant, and that CF doesn't have to hold anyone back from having a family. There may be good days and bad days, but isn't that life and parenting in general? Everyone has a "hard," and "CF hard" might be different, but it's manageable! 

What do you hope to one day share with your child about your journey to become their parent? 

Christina's sister said it best, when she said our daughter will always know she was deeply wanted. The trials of IVF were the easiest thing I'll ever do because they led us to her. We want her to know that there wasn't anything that would've stopped us from trying for her, and that she is more than we ever could have hoped and prayed for.
The Khourys received care at Kindbody Princeton with Dr. Rachel Cohen

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Starting July 1, 2025, California will implement one of the most inclusive fertility coverage laws in the nation. Senate Bill 729 (SB 729) significantly expands access to infertility care, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), for all Californians—regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Who’s covered?

The new law requires large employers in California—those with 100 or more employees and state-regulated health insurance plans—to cover both infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF.

What makes SB 729 stand out is its explicit inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals, same-sex couples, and single parents. For the first time, these groups are guaranteed equal access to coverage without needing to meet outdated or exclusionary definitions of infertility.

When does coverage start?

  • July 1, 2025: Coverage begins for fully insured large group plans.
  • January 1, 2026: Many plans on a calendar-year cycle will adopt the benefit upon renewal.
  • July 1, 2027: Coverage begins for California state employees under CalPERS health plans.

*Governor Gavin Newsom had asked the legislature to delay the start date to January 1, 2026, to allow time for California’s state benchmark plan to be updated. However, no legislation has been passed to make that change official. So unless that happens, the law goes into effect as originally planned—July 1, 2025. That said, plans that renew on a calendar-year basis may not implement the changes until January 1, 2026, because that’s when their new plan year starts.

What’s covered?

The law requires large group health insurance plans (generally offered by employers with 100 or more employees) to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF. This can significantly lower or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for eligible individuals.

Plans must include coverage for:

  • Up to three completed oocyte (egg) retrievals
  • Unlimited embryo transfers, based on ASRM's single embryo transfer guidelines. This ensures that more patients can access multiple cycles of treatment if needed.

Does the new law cover fertility preservation like egg freezing?

The law does not explicitly mandate coverage for elective egg freezing for fertility preservation. However, since IVF coverage includes oocyte retrievals, some components of egg freezing may be covered if they are part of a medical treatment plan such as before undergoing treatments like chemotherapy that can harm reproductive health. 

When will my insurance start paying for my fertility services?

Currently, coverage under SB 729 is set to begin on July 1, 2025. However, it may only apply to insurance plans that renew or are updated on or after that date. If an employer’s health plan renews at a later point in the year, the required fertility coverage may be added when the plan renews, at any time during the following 11 months. So, for some employees, coverage may not begin until later in the 2025–2026 plan year, depending on their employer’s renewal schedule. State employees who are covered under Cal-PERS will gain coverage effective January 1, 2027.

When should I schedule my fertility treatments? Should I wait for insurance coverage?

The decision to start fertility treatment is deeply personal and should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. While California’s new fertility coverage law takes effect on July 1, 2025, the exact timing of when your insurance will begin covering these services depends on your employer’s health plan renewal schedule—and for some, coverage may not begin until as late as 2027.

Because age and other individual factors can significantly impact fertility, your provider may advise you not to delay treatment while waiting for insurance coverage. We encourage you to discuss options with your healthcare provider and determine the best course of action based on your medical needs and timeline.

How do I find out how this new law applies to me?

We encourage you to reach out to both your employer/benefits team and insurance provider to confirm when coverage will begin, as timing and specific benefits may vary depending on your plan and renewal schedule.

A milestone in advancing reproductive health equity

One in six people are affected by infertility worldwide. SB 729 represents a significant milestone in advancing reproductive health equity in California. By requiring insurance coverage for fertility treatments and explicitly including LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents, and others historically left out, the law begins to close long-standing gaps in access to care. It helps remove financial and discriminatory barriers that have made fertility support out of reach for far too many. SB 729 is a step toward making family-building possible for all Californians, regardless of how they hope to grow their families. 

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