Progyny insurance is a term used to describe the special insurance that is available for couples who are trying to have a baby. If you and your spouse both work outside of the home, it’s important that you’re both able to take time off at the same time (or at least close together) in order to promote conception. Travel, shift work, extraordinary schedule demands– all these things can get in the way of regular intercourse with your partner. Luckily, there are many types of options for couples seeking to become pregnant, and one of them is a special type of insurance.
Progyny insurance is guaranteed coverage for cohabitants who have a test-tube pregnancy while they’re on leave from work. Generally, two types of policies are available– basic and enhanced protection:
What is Progyny insurance?
Progyny insurance is the type of health coverage that’s available for couples who are trying to conceive. It’s also known as a ‘baby-making’ policy or a guaranteed coverage policy. The birth mothers get more time off work than women in traditional pregnancies, while the birth fathers get paid to be off work too.
This insurance gives you and your partner more time together at home, which makes it easier to try to conceive quickly. It’s a great idea for couples who are trying to get pregnant, even if they’re not married, older, or have fertility issues.
A policy like this is available for women and men who have been working outside the home for at least 18 months and work at companies with over 50 employees. If this sounds like you, then it’s time to learn more about a policy that can make all the difference in getting pregnant quickly.
How does it work?
In order for employers to provide these benefits, they’re required by law to maintain a medical leave policy that’s compliant with state and federal requirements. For example, most states require that employee leave must be paid. Federal law also requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for a request for a leave of absence. So, when an employee makes a request for a progyny insurance policy from their employer, the employer must grant it. This is true even if the employee isn’t married or has fertility problems.
Types of insurance
1. Basic Insurance (Basic)
The basic level of progyny insurance is a variation of the traditional health plan. It usually provides a specified number of sick or vacation days for any birth mothers, including those who are not currently pregnant. A large portion of these days can be taken for the purpose of pregnancy, birth control, and infertility treatments.
In addition to providing this insurance for employees, companies that offer basic this insurance also try to promote baby-making activities among their employees. Some companies will not allow any employees to work extra hours, or on weekends. Other companies require that married employees cooperate with their spouses in trying to get pregnant. A few employers even offer baby bonuses when a child is born, or fertility treatments when the couple is actively trying to have a child. In addition, most progyny insurance plans tend to pay for adoption fees and legal expenses associated with adopting a child.
2. Enhanced Insurance (Enhanced)
The enhanced level of progyny insurance is for those who are willing to have the insurance cover more than just the basics. For example, some companies will provide up to nine months off due to pregnancy, or pay for fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The paid leave may also be extended beyond the first few months of pregnancy. Some companies will even pay a lump sum payout upon birth or adoption while other companies provide a small monthly allowance during pregnancy and after.
3. Additional features
Further, some companies will allow parents to take time off to attend the first semester of school when their children start. In addition, some companies will pay for fertility treatments and offer adoption services.
Who is eligible for a policy like this?
In addition to being employed for at least 18 months, you’ll need to meet some qualifications in order to get a progyny insurance policy from your employer. You’ll have to be healthy and willing to undergo a medical examination, including bloodwork and urine samples, before starting the plan.
Benefits
1. Financial benefits
One of the main reasons to consider progyny insurance is the pay. The insurance plan may provide a lump sum payment to pay for fertility treatments and other related expenses. Most policies will also provide paid leave for pregnancy, with some plans offering paternity leave as well.
2. Health benefits
In some cases, a company may even offer its employees fertility treatments or in vitro fertilization. In addition, parents may be able to take time off school when their child starts first grade or kindergarten.
3. Tax benefits
Progyny insurance generally provides added financial support while trying to conceive. In addition, since these benefits are provided by your employer, they’re tax-free!
4. Non-financial benefits
A progyny insurance policy will provide your family with the added security of knowing that an employer is ready to support you and your partner during this exciting stage of life. It’s a great way to take the financial pressure off. Getting pregnant can be expensive, so having some help from your employer can make all the difference in getting pregnant quickly.
What are Progressive Companies doing about this Insurance?
The growing number of progressive companies who are offering the program has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In fact, some of the largest companies in the world offer progyny insurance to their employees. A few examples of progressive companies that provide this insurance are Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, and the USA Progeny Insurance Company.
Some companies even offer additional benefits such as a baby bonus or fertility treatments when needed. For example, Southwest Airlines will pay a $1,000 bonus if an employee is able to get pregnant within three months of visiting their doctor for treatment and live birth.
Disadvantages
1. Some employers may not be willing to pay for the program
While more and more companies are starting to offer these plans, it’s still not a widespread benefit that’s offered by all companies. In fact, there are thousands of companies that continue to fail to provide any kind of fertility treatment or parental leave.
2. Difficult to access the benefit
The parent must prove infertility by first undergoing fertility treatments and finding out that they are unable to become pregnant naturally or affordably. Once it’s established that the parent is unable to get pregnant without outside help. The parent must provide a doctor’s note as proof that they are undergoing treatment.
3. Other competing benefits
Other benefits that may continue to be offered by the employer could be more valuable. For example, some employers may want to continue paying for health insurance. Coverage of employees who are not able to get pregnant naturally.
4. Not a lot of financial support
More companies are looking at the progeny insurance policy. But the amount of financial support paid out by employers remains low. In fact, most progeny insurance policies will only pay a lump sum payment to employees. Who’ve been marry for at least one year or have children.
Conclusion
Progyny insurance is a great benefit that can help employees who are struggling to conceive and may be infertile. However, it’s not something that’s offer by every company in the United States. And it’s not a policy that every employee can take advantage of. The financial support offer by progeny insurance policies is low compare to other benefits that employees may receive.
However, most progressive employers recognize the importance of fertility treatments and realize the need for progeny insurance policies.