Workplace culture has changed throughout the years, as have discussions around employee wellness. More employers are finding ways to support their talent to lower turnover rates, invest in their company's long-term success, and improve employee happiness and overall well-being. Workplace wellness, perks, and benefits continue to evolve beyond traditional healthcare benefits and free office snacks. They now encompass various incentives, such as flexible work arrangements, mental health services, fitness programs, and even family support in the form of fertility benefits.
The decision to start or expand a family is deeply personal, and the journey can look different for everyone. For some individuals and couples, the path to parenthood is emotionally and financially challenging. In light of this, forward-thinking employers recognize the impact of fertility struggles on families. They are taking action by incorporating reproductive health and family planning initiatives into their employee wellness programs. Jobs that have fertility benefits can foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment and culture.
What are fertility benefits?
Fertility benefits are employer-provided or sponsored programs that help employees overcome fertility and family planning challenges. They are also known as fertility assistance, fertility coverage, or infertility benefits.
These benefits typically encompass a range of services and resources to support individuals and couples trying to conceive or preserve their fertility for future use. Some common types of fertility benefits include:
- Fertility treatment coverage
- Drug therapy
- Fertility counseling and support
- Fertility preservation
- Diagnostic testing
- Adoption and surrogacy services
Historically, fertility treatments have been costly and inaccessible to many people. For example, in vitro fertilization (IVF), a commonly used fertility treatment that involves egg retrieval and embryo transfer, can range from $15,000 to $30,000 for one cycle. This price is out of reach for many, especially if multiple cycles are necessary.
While some insurance may cover the cost of some procedures and medications, and discount programs and grants are available, this is only sometimes an option for everyone. However, employer fertility benefits can help level the playing field for people interested in growing their families.
Fertility treatment coverage
Employer-sponsored fertility benefit programs often include coverage for a range of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and artificial insemination (AI). IUI involves the direct placement of sperm into a woman's uterus during ovulation, increasing the chances of fertilization. IVF is a more advanced procedure where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, with resulting embryos transferred back into the uterus. AI, also known as donor insemination, involves the placement of donor sperm into the reproductive tract.
Drug therapy
Medications are a key component of fertility treatment. Fertility benefits can cover the cost of medications used to regulate hormonal imbalances, support the development of healthy eggs and sperm, and stimulate ovulation.
Fertility counseling and support
Access to counseling services and support groups can provide emotional and psychological support for individuals and couples navigating the challenges of infertility.
Fertility preservation
Some fertility benefit programs offer coverage for fertility preservation procedures such as egg freezing or sperm banking, which allow individuals to preserve their fertility for future use.
Diagnostic testing
Fertility benefit packages may include coverage for diagnostic tests to assess fertility issues, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, ovarian reserve testing, testicular biopsy, semen analysis, and more.
Adoption and surrogacy services
These services provide alternative paths to parenthood for individuals and couples who may be unable to conceive biologically or prefer to expand their families through adoption or surrogacy. Adoption benefits may include financial assistance for adoption-related expenses such as agency fees, legal fees, and court costs, as well as resources and support for navigating the adoption process. Similarly, surrogacy benefits may cover the costs of finding and compensating a surrogate, medical expenses related to the surrogacy journey, and legal fees.
How many companies offer fertility benefits?
A 2022 survey found that 40% of U.S. organizations offer employee fertility benefits, up from 30% in 2020. These benefits include coverage of fertility medications, IVF, genetic testing, non-IVF fertility treatments and more. Fertility insurance coverage or assistance varies across organizations. Some companies that offer a range of resources and support in family planning include:
- Lululemon
- Tesla
- Meta
- Spotify
- Adobe
- American Express
- Bank of America
- Gusto
Mindbody also recognizes the value of fertility assistance to employees and workplace wellness. It offers fertility benefits through WINFertility to support team members' fertility journeys, including individualized care plans and egg storage.
One of the primary benefits of integrating fertility support into employee wellness programs is the message it sends about organizational values and priorities. By acknowledging and addressing the diverse pathways to parenthood, including adoption, surrogacy, and assisted reproductive technologies, employers can promote equitable and inclusive access to family-building.
Workplace wellness takes on many forms––fertility benefits are just one drop in the employee benefits program bucket. Learn how ClassPass can play a part in elevating your employees' physical and mental well-being.
