Is your employer part of this growing wave?
In 2017, Starbucks was making news, but not for its coffee. It was grabbing headlines because the coffee maker offers in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefits to its employees, including part-time ones.
Starbucks is one of the most well-known corporate leaders providing coverage for family building. It is leading a growing human resources trend that is especially popular among high-tech corporations and in the banking industry. Assistance varies, but can include infertility treatment/in vitro fertilization, surrogacy and adoption subsidies of varying amounts and may or may not come with restrictions. Generosity depends upon each business.
Family building benefits are a winning strategy
Many employers are finding IVF and infertility benefits are an attractive recruitment and retention vehicle for finding and keeping reproductive-age workers. They are providing packages designed exclusively for family building as well as infertility benefits through health insurance.
In 2016, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association conducted an anonymous online survey of 702 employees who had at least one in-vitro fertilization (IVF) egg retrieval in the U.S. The study assessed how infertility benefits offered as part of the employees’ health insurance impacted their relationship with their employers. Not surprisingly, people who need infertility/IVF had higher satisfaction with their employers who assisted monetarily, believing they listen to their needs better, are family-friendly and care about their well-being.
Helping same-sex couples create families
By directly offering benefits, companies can help same-sex employees who probably will not have a medical diagnosis. They are offering fixed amounts for in vitro fertilization, surrogacy and adoption. Employees can use the stipend for the building family method of their choice, which levels the playing field for all employees.
An innovative way to pay for egg freezing
Facebook, Google and other innovative companies have been lauded for helping their female employees pay for egg freezing. Many young professional women might want to preserve their fertility for either personal or professional reasons but don’t have the financial resources to pay for this service. Facebook’s overture to help them pay for cryopreservation has been both praised and criticized. Some pundits think this benefit puts undue pressure on female employees to delay childbearing because they have the option of egg freezing.
Advocating with your employer
Do you want your employer to help you with the cost of treatment? First, check to see if your company is on the growing list of corporations offering these special perks. If not, then reach out to your health insurance carrier to see what coverage it provides.
But some patients are going further by asking Human Resources to create a new benefits offering. If you are interested in advocating for coverage with your bosses, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and Fertility Within Reach are two organizations that can provide data and strategies to help bolster your case for the cost-effectiveness and attractiveness of infertility treatment financial support.
Good luck with your endeavors!
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