IVF and donor egg costs
What Benefits Platforms Cover Donor Eggs?
August 1, 2023
Last updated:
September 27, 2024
Reproductive technology has opened up new horizons for individuals and couples hoping to bring new life into their world. Among these opportunities, the use of donor eggs stands as a beacon of hope for many.
However, the reality of this life-changing treatment is often met with a stark reminder of its costs. Enter the landscape of employee benefits platforms - innovative companies that have stepped forward to revolutionize coverage for fertility treatments. But which ones cover donor eggs? In this article, we’ll provide insight into their services.
Carrot
Carrot takes a flexible approach to fertility benefits, allowing employers to customize coverage based on their budget and employees' needs. Carrot’s model is based on reimbursing members for care, with the overall budget set by the employer. As such, its comprehensive platform typically covers a range of fertility services, including donor egg treatments. Cofertility is also a preferred partner within Carrot’s network and all Carrot members will receive a discount off the Cofertility Coordination Fee. If you have Carrot benefits, reach out to our team to learn more!
Progyny
The largest benefits platform known for its patient-centric model, Progyny offers a comprehensive fertility benefits plan which can include coverage for donor egg treatments. Their Smart Cycle policy provides flexible coverage units that can be used across different treatment types, including IVF with donor eggs. The number of Smart Cycles as well as the specific treatment types covered varies by employer. For example: among those plans that do cover donor cycles, some exclusively cover frozen donor egg cycles, some cover fresh donor egg cycles, and some cover both.
Win Fertility
Win Fertility partners with employers to offer fertility benefits, including personalized treatment management. Its coverage is comprehensive, typically encompassing a range of fertility treatments. Employers who partner with Win Fertility have the option to include donor egg treatments in their coverage plans.
Maven
Maven's platform offers a holistic approach to family benefits, encompassing fertility, maternity, and pediatrics. While its fertility coverage is extensive, whether or not it includes donor egg treatments may depend on the specific plan chosen by your employer.
Kindbody
Kindbody offers fertility benefits tied to Kindbody and other partner clinics. They take a similar approach to Progyny with “KindCycle” units that can be used across treatments, including IVF with donor eggs.
Cleo
Cleo's strength lies in its integrated support system for families across reproductive health, fertility, and parenting. While they don’t offer direct fertility coverage, they provide on-demand support, personalized support plans, and research and expert-based answers to a variety of family-building questions, including donor egg IVF.
Identifying donor egg coverage in your benefits program
As you can see from the descriptions above, whether or not your benefits program includes donor eggs has more to do with your employer than the platform. Most platforms have the ability to include donor eggs, but not all employers are willing to cover that cost.
Understanding the specifics of your benefits program can be a daunting task, given the complex nature of health insurance policies and benefits packages. Here’s how to determine if your program includes donor egg coverage:
- Start by thoroughly reviewing your benefits information. This is usually outlined in a document or an online portal provided by your employer or benefits provider. Look for sections that talk about 'fertility treatments', 'reproductive health', or 'family planning'. You might find explicit mention of egg donation or donor IVF.
- If your benefits documentation is not clear or you have difficulty understanding the language used, do not hesitate to reach out to your benefits provider or HR department directly. They can provide clarity and guidance on what exactly is covered under your plan.
- If applicable, take advantage of other employer-provided resources that can help you navigate your benefits. Benefit Bump and BenefitFocus are two companies that employers engage to help you understand your coverage and how to best use your available benefits.
- When inquiring about your coverage, be sure to ask direct and specific questions. For instance, "Does my plan cover the cost of donor eggs?" or "Is IVF with donor eggs included in my fertility benefits?" The more specific you are, the more accurate the information you'll receive.
Remember, benefits plans can change from year to year, so make sure to review your plan annually during the open enrollment period. Keep abreast of any changes or additions to your benefits, especially if you're considering fertility treatments using donor eggs.
Summing it up
While donor egg coverage specifics can depend on the individual plans chosen by employers, the trend is leaning towards a more inclusive approach, reflecting an increased understanding and empathy towards diverse fertility journeys.
Understanding your benefits program and whether it covers donor egg treatments is crucial in planning your fertility journey. Don't hesitate to seek assistance from professionals or directly ask your benefits provider to clarify your coverage. Being proactive about understanding your benefits will help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
Cofertility can help!
We started this company with the vision of serving all families, regardless of what brought them here. And we promise to provide you with the care we would want for our families. With our commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and innovation, we are striving to be the best in the industry.
Our unique egg sharing model empowers donors and enables families to find the perfect egg donor match quickly and easily, setting a new standard for excellence in our field. Whether you are just getting educated on egg donation or ready to move forward, we want to help you achieve your goals and build the family of your dreams.
Create a free account to get started today!
Jessie Goldman
Jessie heads up partnership efforts at Cofertility, forging relationships with clinics and other strategic partners that support Cofertility members across their journeys. She joined Cofertility while in business school and came on full-time after graduation. Prior to business school, she worked in healthcare research and consulting, leading best practice research studies and advising medical device, pharmaceutical, and healthcare technology companies. Her passion for improving access to health care services stemmed from her experience as a health clinic volunteer, where she connected lower income patients with social services that could improve health outcomes. Jessie has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economic History from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School with a focus in Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management.
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Jessie Goldman