A single in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle can run as high as $30,000 or more. Unfortunately, only a handful of states require that insurance companies provide coverage for infertility treatment, and not all states include IVF in the requirement. Considering that many couples require multiple rounds in order to have a baby, access to assisted reproductive technology is limited to those who have the financial resources as well as individuals who are lucky enough to have an employer who includes IVF coverage in their group health plan.
With the Great Resignation, companies are having a difficult time hiring and retaining top talent. Increasingly, corporations are including IVF as part of their group health plan coverage in order to recruit and retain employees. Couples with infertility are joining online groups and sharing what steps they made to make their dreams of parenthood a reality. By taking the large step of changing employers or adding a second job, some have obtained IVF coverage. In this article, we will be reviewing some of the top employers who provide IVF coverage.
Photograph courtesy of Seattle City Council from Seattle, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Amazon:
Photograph courtesy of Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
One company that is making the news is Amazon. The second largest employer in the United States, Amazon is known for its top-rate health benefits package. Full-time employees are eligible from day one, and employees are given several options to choose from. Additionally, part-time employees who work at least 20 hours per week are also eligible for benefits. Employees have access to infertility coverage via Progyny, a leading fertility benefits management company. For most employees, Amazon covers one Smart Cycle (including IVF), as well as a second cycle if the first cycle did not result in a baby.
Walmart:
The largest private employer in the United States made news earlier this year when it announced that fertility coverage would be added to its group health plan. Walmart announced that it would be partnering with Kindbody, a family building provider for employers. Coverage reportedly includes assessment, fertility preservation, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF. Walmart announced that these benefits will be available to both full-time and part-time employees and their dependents. It is important to note that Walmart benefits are not immediate. For full-time Walmart employees, it can take up to three months to obtain health benefits. Additionally, most part-time employees are required to work at least 30 hours per week in order to be eligible for benefits.
Starbucks:
Social media has been trending with #starbucksivfbaby. Couples facing the financial burden of IVF are increasingly seeking out employment at this popular company. The coffee giant has a generous benefits package, with IVF coverage for both full-time and part-time employees. Starbucks offers insurance coverage after employees work at least 240 hours over a three-month period.
Google:
If you are searching for an employer with great benefits, then look no more! This tech giant has a benefits package to brag about. Google offers multiple bundles of fertility treatment, including coverage for elective egg freezing.
Tesla:
The well-known automotive and clean energy company reportedly offers unlimited IVF as an employee perk. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, has publicly discussed the role that IVF played in his personal family planning. Tesla’s benefits include egg and sperm donation, IUI, fertility medications and elective cryopreservation up to one year.
Apple:
This Silicon Valley leader was at the forefront of infertility coverage when it began offering egg freezing benefits to its employees in 2014. IVF coverage is offered to both full-time and part-time employees. Benefits include cryopreservation, artificial insemination, donor ovum and semen and related prescription drugs.
Takeaway Message:
Corporate America is increasingly recognizing the importance of including infertility treatment as part of their benefits package. Couples who are otherwise unable to afford IVF are now seeking coverage through employers. With corporations such as Apple, Google and Amazon leading the way, couples facing infertility may now have more options.
Have you changed employment based on the company's infertility coverage? What are some other companies that you recommend? Please share in the comments below!