What do Equitable, Inclusive LGBTQ+ Fertility Benefits Look Like?

Fertility benefits are an increasingly popular aspect of an employee's total benefits package. In fact, 59% of employers say that fertility coverage is necessary to compete in the labor market.

When it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, these benefits can be especially impactful. For small business leaders, striving to offer access to equitable fertility benefits can be an important way to attract and retain diverse talent and build an inclusive culture for all.

Let's dive into the details around why fertility benefits matter to LGBTQ+ employees, and how the Justworks + Kindbody partnership can bolster your company's commitment to DEIB and help even small teams access this crucial care. 

Why Inclusive Fertility Benefits Matter

Becoming a parent is expensive for anyone. But when you consider the costs of IVF and conception, egg and sperm freezing, and other services that are often utilized by LGBTQ+ people, it can be particularly expensive for this community. A single IVF cycle, for example, typically costs $30,00 or more — and it's not uncommon to go through multiple cycles before conceiving.

That said, many people who want to have children aren't deterred by the financial burden. According to a Family Equality report, 45-53% of LGBTQ+ Millennials are planning to become parents for the first time or add another child to their family, regardless of annual household income. 

Since most Americans rely on their employers for their healthcare coverage, the fertility benefits that companies offer can greatly help with the costs of these services for employees. As an employer, you can support your LGBTQ+ team members along the path to building their family. 

Providing access to fertility benefits can help to support not only the financial health of these employees, but also their mental health, as going through the family-building process can be a stressful, emotional journey.

Roadblocks to Care for the LGBTQ+ Community

Beyond the price tag of family-building services, there may be other roadblocks to fertility care for LGBTQ+ individuals. Health insurance coverage is a good place to start, but fertility needs are as diverse as your team, and insurance might not meet them where they are.

Dr. Fahimeh Sasan, Founding Physician & Chief Innovation Officer at Kindbody, pointed out that oftentimes, the benefits available through health insurance can be unintentionally discriminatory.

"They have medical requirements, like you had to have a diagnosis of infertility, or you had to have been trying for a year," Dr. Sasan said. "So how does a single person try for any amount of time? Or how does a same-sex male or female couple try for a year, right? It's not possible."

As a fertility clinic network and global family-building benefits provider for employers, Kindbody is a great example of a service that can fill in the gaps that health insurance alone cannot cover. And with the Justworks + Kindbody partnership, this type of access is available to even small businesses and their teams.

Building Equitable Fertility Benefits for Your Team

As a business leader, what should you consider when it comes to providing fertility benefits that include LGBTQ+ employees? 

Dr. Sasan advises making sure that the benefits are truly inclusive by covering services for any individual. For example, "If you're covering egg freezing for a woman, then you should cover egg and sperm freezing for a transgender individual," she said.

In addition, Dr. Sasan suggests that employers also communicate about these benefits in an equitable way. Make fertility benefits a headline of your total benefits package, and be vocal about the offering. Not only does this keep LGBTQ+ people informed so they can take advantage of the benefits, it also helps to build a company culture around inclusivity that every employee can see and feel.

Partnering with Justworks + Kindbody

Accessing equitable, inclusive fertility benefits that will meet the needs of your LGBTQ+ employees is within reach — even for small businesses. Through our partnership with Kindbody, Justworks PEO customers can offer these important benefits to their teams.

Justworks PEO members and their adult dependents who are actively enrolled in a medical plan through Justworks (excluding Kaiser) are eligible for Kindbody. By offering the Kindbody benefit, your eligible team members can gain access to equitable gynecology, fertility, and family-building services that improve health outcomes, decrease costs, and promote inclusivity. 

With both in-person clinics and convenient virtual services, Kindbody is a great fit for teams of all kinds, whether they're remote, in-person, or hybrid. Offering these fertility benefits help your business to attract and retain diverse talent, and build company culture and loyalty. 

To access Kindbody services for your team, become a Justworks PEO customer. You'll get simple software and expert support for payroll, HR, compliance, and of course, employee benefits. Get started today.