A new report reveals that 3 in 4 people experience financial strain when navigating fertility, with one-third of women spending more than $50,000 on their fertility journeys. That’s one of the key findings spelled out in “Beyond the Bill: The Hidden Costs of Fertility Care,” based on a survey of more than 1,000 women by Maven Care, a large virtual clinic for women and families.
The results come ahead of National Infertility Awareness Week, which begins April 20. According to Maven Clinic, 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility, yet many families lack the support they deserve. Employers are helping turn the tide, with the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans estimating that 40% of U.S. employers offer fertility benefits to their employees — a 30% increase from 2020. Leading employers are going beyond financial assistance, providing comprehensive support that combines financial, emotional, and clinical care to better serve employees and manage health care costs.
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“IVF [in vitro fertilization] is a life-changing technology that makes dreams come true, and providing access to this essential care is the floor, not the ceiling,” Kate Ryder, founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, said in a statement. “Aspiring parents deserve support that is available 24/7, addresses both emotional and clinical needs, and is delivered transparently and compassionately. With millions of people experiencing infertility around the world, our survey findings are a call to action to the entire system: families need our help.”
Here are five other insights culled from the report:
- Life goals are being put on hold to afford care. More than 80% of respondents had to cut back on expenses, with 52% saying they’ve had to use savings meant for other life goals — from retirement to buying a home — to afford fertility care.
- The toll isn’t just financial; it’s emotional, too. A staggering 91% of respondents said fertility challenges impacted their mental health, and 78% have limited social interactions, such as weddings, baby showers, and family gatherings, due to emotional stress.
- Relationships are being strained. While 85% say they felt supported by their partners, 65% of respondents felt that the burden of fertility lay almost entirely with them, not with their partner.
- Careers are quietly being reshaped. Nearly half (44%) of women turned down promotions, raises or new job opportunities due to fertility treatment schedules or concerns about future family planning. What’s more, 59% of women or their partners took on extra work to pay for care.
- Employer benefits increase productivity and engagement, but stigma still persists. Despite growing awareness of fertility challenges, 77% of women have hidden or downplayed their fertility treatment at work. Among respondents with fertility benefits, 81% said they’re more engaged and productive at work.
“Families deserve the shortest, safest path to a healthy baby, but that’s not what the current system is built to deliver,” added Dr. Neel Shah, Maven Clinic’s chief medical officer. “By supporting people from the very beginning of their family-building journey and attending to the full breadth of their needs, we can improve outcomes, cut costs, and build a system that works better for everyone.”
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