By Cassandra Pratt, Progyny CHRO
When I started working at Progyny in 2016 as a human resource director, employer fertility support across the U.S. was scarce, at best. Fortunately, I knew that I was hired by a truly special company that was at the forefront of fertility benefits, providing remarkable opportunities for women and families. Progyny’s comprehensive benefits approach would not only change the entire industry; it would change my life—and my dreams.
Fast forward to ten years later, and now as Progyny’s chief human resource officer for more than 800 employees, I marvel at both the clinical care advancements and widespread expansion of benefits coverage we’ve seen. With a dedication to outcomes that matter so much, Progyny has been a passionate champion and leader in the fertility industry and for its clients and members. It’s been a privilege to be a part of building something so meaningful. At the same time, it’s been personally rewarding as I marvel at my two sons, deeply grateful for them and the unwavering support I’ve received in growing our family.
A journey of support
For those on the path to family building, each journey is unique, and many come with a mix of celebrations and setbacks. While our fertility story began with enthusiasm for our egg retrievals, we also experienced unsuccessful treatment rounds and loss. In those years, I sought different providers and strategies, and various mediations and treatments including preimplantation genetic testing. I was “all in.” While in some respects, 10 years seems not that long ago; in the world of fertility, so much has changed in terms of availably of access, information, and treatment advances.
When the quest for optimal fertility care led me across the country to a clinic in California, I was fortunate to have a built-in support system – including an understanding employer and manager. Working for Progyny also gave me the unique access to Dr. Georgia Witkin, a clinical psychologist and infertility expert, who I’m now happy to call a treasured confidant and friend. For anyone on the fertility journey, having your team of people is so critical in both making confident, informed decisions and staying grounded through uncertainty.
With the advanced fertility support and services my company provides, I experienced the joy of having my son, Emmett, the first ever Progyny employee baby, in 2019. His brother, Hudson, joined our family in 2021.
A decade down, forever to go
Over the past decade, employer-provided fertility coverage has evolved significantly. When I joined Progyny, the benefit was just emerging—only about 25% of large employers offered IVF coverage, and just 5-6% covered egg freezing. Even then, Progyny stood apart, leading with comprehensive, evidence-based benefits for both members and employees well before the support became mainstream.
Ten years later, Progyny has grown to over 800 employees serving more than 600 clients, providing family building and women’s health benefits through a managed network of top fertility specialists, member coaching and support, digital tools, prescriptions, and more. Others have followed suit. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ Employee Benefits Survey: 2024 Report, 42% of U.S. organizations now offer fertility benefits—up significantly from 30% in 2020.
While we have traditionally worked with large, self-insured employers, today we’re expanding into the fully insured market, allowing fertility benefits to reach a much broader group of employers through standard insurance plans. It’s an exciting time to be in benefits. As fertility coverage has expanded, clinical care options have also significantly advanced with better techniques, more clinics, and stronger outcomes.
Facilitating lasting support
As the expanding fertility industry reaches more women on their journeys, we must continue to support whole-person health. Fertility efforts are most successful when care begins before conception and considers physical, hormonal, and emotional health. Despite this, only about 20% of women have a dedicated preconception visit before pregnancy. Overall wellness requires appropriate screenings, chronic condition monitoring, and mental health management through child-baring years, menopause, and beyond. Comprehensive, personalized, continuous support is the key to healthier women and thriving families.
When women have access to the right care at the right time, outcomes improve. Along members’ fertility journeys, we celebrate their success stories with “Yeah Baby Day” on March 25th. We hope you’ll share your baby story, and how trusted support has made a difference in your family’s life—this decade, and beyond.
