NEW YORK, Aug 27 (Reuters) - CVS Health's ( CVS ) Aetna

health insurance unit will broaden its fertility coverage from

Sept. 1 to begin paying for intrauterine insemination,

regardless of the patient's fertility status, a move that should

to improve access for people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Previously, the insurer covered fertility treatments for

couples who proved they had tried to get pregnant for six or 12

months.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The decision comes after Aetna settled a lawsuit filed in

May by lead plaintiff Emma Goidel, who claimed the company's

policies required her to spend $45,000 on fertility treatments

in order to pursue intrauterine insemination.

Couples that could not conceive through heterosexual

intercourse had to pay for treatments, according to court

documents made public in May as part of a lawsuit.

CONTEXT

Aetna agreed in May to pay $2 million in reimbursement to

patients and update policies to cover artificial insemination

regardless of sexual orientation.

During intrauterine insemination, sperm is placed into the

uterus during the time when a woman is fertile. Unlike IVF which

involves multiple fertility treatments, IUI is the primary

option for women in same-sex couples who want to conceive and

have not experienced reduced fertility.

KEY QUOTE

"This industry-leading policy change is a stake in the

ground, reflecting Aetna's support of all who need to use this

benefit as a preliminary step in building their family," said

Cathy Moffitt, Aetna's chief medical officer.