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Fertility benefits appeal to employers, workers

Updated: 6:00 PM EST Nov 6, 2020

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EMILY ONE IN EIGHT PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH INFERTILITY. THATS THE CASE FOR THE COUPLE YOURE ABOUT TO MEET. JUST AS THEY STARTED IVF, THEY LEARNED ABOUT A NEW BENEFIT THAT MADE THE PROCESS EASIER. STEVEN AND KAYLEIGH HAJNY KNEW IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO HAVE A FAMILY. KAYLEIGH WAS DIAGNOSED WIT POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME AT 16. SHE DOCUMENTED THEIR JOURNEY ON INSTAGRA MEDICATED CYCLES THAT ENDED IN MISCARRIAG AND THE DECISION TO CONSIDER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION. >> IT WASNT A SHOCK. IT WAS SCARY. OF COURSE BUT I THINK I KNEW GOING INTO IT THAT THE FINANCIAL PIECE WAS GOING TO MAKE US OR BREAK US. EMILY: THE AVERAGE COST OF ONE IVF CYCLE IN THE U.S. IS 10 TO $15,000. THIRTEEN STATES, INCLUDING, -- INCLUDING MASSACHUSETTS MANDATE BASIC INSURANCE COVERAGE , FOR IVF. IN MAINE, WHERE THE HAJNYS LIVE, THERE IS NO MANDATE. >> WERE HEARING HORROR STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE DOING SECOND MORTGAGES AND I WAS LIKE, THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN AFFORD TO HAV A FAMILY BECAUSE OF THIS. EMILY: INSURANCE WOULD COVER ABOUT $7,000. BUT THEN, STEVENS COMPANY DECIDED TO OFFER A NEW OPTION. FERTILITY BENEFITS. >> WE EXIST BECAUSE ONE IN EIGHT PEOPLE SUFFER FROM INFERTLITY AND STRUGGLE WHEN THEYRE TRYING TO HAVE A CHILD. EMILY: LISA GREENBAUM IS CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER AT PROGYNY. A FERTILITY BENEFITS COMPANY THAT MANAGES TREATMENTS, SERVICES AND ACCESS TO SPECIALISTS. THEY WORK WITH 135 SELF-INSURED COMPANIES AND THAT NUMBER HAS STAYED CONSTANT EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC. GREENBAUM SAYS THEY LET DOCTORS AND PATIENTS DECIDE ON THE BEST TREATMENT. RATHER THAN MANDATE WHAT SERVICES WILL BE COVERED. AND THAT CAN SAVE COMPANIES MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. >> CAN HELP REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS WHICH CAN REDUCE LIKELIHOOD OF PRETERM BIRTH AND AND A LOT OF PRENATAL AND NICU SPEND THAT EMPLOYERS HAVE TO FACE WHEN EMPLOYEES HAVE MULTIPLES THROU IN VITRO FERTILIZATION. EMILY: SHE ALSO SAYS THIS BENEFIT CAN HELP ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT. SOMETHING THAT STEVEN HAJNY AGREES WITH. THEY CHOSE IVF. THEIR DAUGHTER, OLIVIA, IS NOW A HEALTHY AND HAPPY 8-MONTHS OLD. AND THEY BOTH FEEL GRATEFU >> I WORK HARDER PROBABLY NOW THAN I EVER HAVE BECAUSE ITS LIKE, WELL THIS COMPANY GAVE ME MY DAUGHTER. EMILY: NATIONALLY, THIS KIND OF BENEFIT IS BECOMING MORE COMMON. IN 2018, 31% OF EMPLOYERS WITH 500 OR MORE EMPLOYEES OFFER

Fertility benefits appeal to employers, workers

Updated: 6:00 PM EST Nov 6, 2020

Infertility affects one in eight couples in the United States, including Steven and Kayleigh Hajny.

Infertility affects one in eight couples in the United States, including Steven and Kayleigh Hajny.

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Fertility benefits appeal to employers, workers - WCVB Boston