02-031 C.M.R. ch. 865, § 3 - Definitions

1. "Assisted hatching" means a micromanipulation technique in which a hole is artificially created in the outer shell of an embryo to assist with the potential implantation of that embryo.

2. "Carrier" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4302-A(1)(3).

3. "Cryopreservation" means the freezing of embryos, eggs, sperm, ovarian tissue, or testicular tissue.

4. "Egg retrieval" means a procedure by which eggs are collected from ovarian follicles, including all office visits, procedures, and laboratory and radiological tests performed in preparation for egg retrieval; the attempted or successful retrieval of the egg(s); and, if the retrieval is successful, culture and fertilization of the egg(s).

5. "Embryo" means a cell or group of cells that has the potential to develop into a live born human being if transferred into the body under conditions in which gestation may be reasonably expected to occur.

6. "Embryo transfer" means the placement of an embryo into the uterus or fallopian tube.

7. "Experimental fertility procedure" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4320-U(1)(A).

8. "Federal Affordable Care Act" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §14.

9. "Fertility coverage" means coverage provided by a carrier for fertility diagnostic care, fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment.

10. "Fertility diagnostic care" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4320 U(1)(B).

11. "Fertility patient" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4320-U(1)(C).

12. "Fertility preservation services" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4320 U(1)(D).

13. "Fertility treatment" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4320-U(1)(E).

14. "Fertilization" means the penetration of the egg by the sperm.

15. "Gamete intrafallopian tube transfer" means the direct transfer of a sperm/egg mixture into the fallopian tube by laparoscopy.

16. "Gestational carrier" means a person who carries an embryo that was not formed from the gestational carrier's own egg, and who intends that a fertility patient, and not the gestational carrier, will be a parent of the child after birth.

17. "Iatrogenic infertility" means an impairment of fertility caused by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other medical treatment affecting reproductive organs or processes.

18. "Infertility" has the same meaning as defined in 24-A M.R.S. §4320-U(1)(G).

19. "Intracytoplasmic sperm injection" means a micromanipulation procedure whereby a single sperm is injected into the center of an egg.

20. "Intrauterine or vaginal insemination" means the introduction of sperm into the uterus, cervix, or vagina by noncoital methods for the purpose of conception.

21. "In vitro fertilization" means an assisted reproductive technology procedure whereby eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized outside the body. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus.

22. "Maine Health Insurance Marketplace" has the same meaning as defined in 22 M.R.S. §5403.

23. "Microsurgical sperm aspiration or extraction" means the techniques used to obtain sperm for use with intracytoplasmic sperm injection in cases of obstructive or nonobstructive azoospermia. It can involve the extraction of sperm and fluid from epididymal tubules or the provision of testicular tissue from which viable sperm may be extracted.

24. "Ovulation induction" means the use of drugs (oral or injected) to stimulate the ovaries to develop follicles and eggs.

25. "Standard-setting organization" means the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, or their respective successor organizations.

26. "Surrogate" means a person who carries an embryo that was formed from the surrogate's own egg inseminated by the sperm of a fertility patient.

27. "Zygote intrafallopian tube transfer" means a procedure whereby an egg is fertilized in vitro and transferred to the fallopian tube at the pronuclear stage before cell division takes place.

Notes

02-031 C.M.R. ch. 865, § 3