By Janet Choi, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Progyny
“Destination parenthood” does not always take a traditional or linear path, Mark Leondires, MD, Medical Director and Founder of Illume Fertility reminds us. Same sex couples and single parents by choice need assistance in building the family of their dreams. In fact, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine broadened the medical definition of infertility in 2023 recognizing that anyone who might need medical assistance to grow their family should be supported. That’s why it is critical that benefit decision-makers are considering the full scope of their employee base when building their family-focused approach.
Largely with good intent, we’ve seen time and again that the LGBTQ+ community has been omitted from certain family building and fertility benefits. As we observe Pride Month here at Progyny, we want to highlight the needs of aspiring LGBTQ+ parents, as well as provide an evolved approach to family building benefits that ensures all individuals who desire to can realize their dreams of parenthood.
The talent retention reality
We hear time and again how critical attracting and retaining key talent is to companies. Fertility benefits can be a key to retention for LGBTQ+ employees. A recent survey showed that fertility coverage at work is a priority for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to expand their families. In fact, 79% said they would consider leaving their current job for one that offers these benefits, and 81% responded that they would work a second job just to get fertility coverage. The majority of those surveyed were also worried about costs of treatments to expand their families with concerns about having to rely on outside sources for funding.
The coverage gap challenge
That same survey highlighted major disparities between how LGBTQ+ individuals and their heterosexual counterparts were able to access the same coverage. While many LGBTQ+ individuals technically had coverage, more than two-thirds shared that their employer’s plan required individuals meet outdated medical diagnosis criteria for infertility before qualifying for coverage.
This form of pre-certification too often associated with family building coverage excludes LGBTQ+ community members and single parents by choice, essentially blocking them from accessing necessary benefits.
Leading the change
So, what can be done for benefits equality? Benefits leaders are in a position to influence fertility coverage for expanded family building opportunities in the workplace—for all. For nearly a decade, Progyny has been partnering with benefits leaders to implement cycle-based, inclusive benefits that break down barriers and support all paths to parenthood, no matter who you are or how you choose to build your family.
Here are just a couple of ways Progyny helps employers deliver a truly inclusive benefit for their employees in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond:
- Progyny’s fertility and family building benefit is a cycle-based benefit, offering the flexibility to meet all forms and paths to building a family. Progyny’s Smart Cycle benefit design empowers patients and providers to make informed decisions based on their unique needs, leading not only to better care and superior clinical outcomes, but also more equitable coverage.
- We mobilize resources using a fertility network of clinics and doctors who provide LGBTQ+ affirming care that aligns with members’ unique family-building goals. The journey may include navigating adoption, reciprocal IVF, surrogacy, fertility preservation, or other assisted reproductive technologies. We also help benefit leaders understand the impact employers and plans can have on the family-building journeys of LGBTQ+ employees.
The path forward
Despite a rise in employer-sponsored coverage options for fertility care, dreams of expanding LGBTQ+ families continue to be riddled with barriers for parents-to-be. We and our partner providers celebrate that the right to family is universal. With an inclusive, cycle-based benefit and comprehensive access to the latest reproductive technologies resulting in successful fertility outcomes, Progyny members trust they are part of an inclusive, compassionate workplace that supports their choices and dreams.