Family Act

Every day someone faces the pain of infertility. While the most significant pain is in the heart, it can be felt in other places. One that seems to impact many is to the pocketbook. I can't even begin to tell you how much money we have spent over the last year on infertility. Whether it is insurance deductibles, things that aren't covered by insurance, pregnancy and ovulation tests, natural treatments.... we feel the burn every time. If I could have one wish other than being blessed with a little one, it would be that insurance is required to cover fertility treatments for people with a medical issue causing issues with conceiving. That's why I sent a letter to our state senators requesting that the Family Act of 2011 be supported by them.

Here are some features of the act:

• The Family Act covers the out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) including diagnostic tests, laboratory charges, professional charges, and medications for IVF.
• The Family Act covers the out-of-pocket costs of fertility preservation procedures if the man or woman is diagnosed with cancer and the cancer treatment or disease itself may result in infertility.
• The Family Act has a cost sharing provision allowing 50% of all applicable medical expenses to be  covered up to a lifetime maximum of $13,360. You would need to have out-of-pocket costs totaling $26,720 to claim the entire credit in your lifetime.
• If you do not owe taxes in a particular year, do not owe enough taxes to use the whole credit, or do not reach the max amount in one tax year, it carries over to the next year for a max of five years after the first year you use the credit. 
• The Family Act is available to couples filing jointly with adjusted gross incomes of less than $222,520, but the credit is smaller for those earning between $182,500 and $222,520.

If you're interested in learning more or sending your own email request for support, look at this link.