Illinois Among Best States For Addressing Infertility

By John Dodge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Some good news for women who are having difficulty becoming pregnant: Illinois is one of only five states in the country to get high marks for assisting couples with infertility.

Illinois, along with New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland, received an A for being an "infertility friendly" state, according to rankings published by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

States were graded based on whether they required health coverage for infertility treatments, the availability of support groups and the number of doctors who specialize in treating infertility.

Illinois requires insurance companies to provide coverage for infertility treatments, such as IVF.

The National Infertility Association CEO Barbara Collura said the all states should require insurance coverage for infertility, which the group considers a disease.

Three states got an F: Alaska, Wyoming and New Hampshire.

Experts say that a woman who goes one year trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant should see a doctor for possible infertility treatment.

Women over the age of 35 should consider seeing a doctor after six months.