Open enrollment is the period of time each year when people can enroll in or make changes to their health insurance plan. The dates for open enrollment this year are November 1 - December 15, 2020. Be sure to confirm with your employer - some companies have different cutoff dates for this period.
Outside of the open enrollment period, you can typically only make changes to your insurance if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Whether you're making changes to your existing insurance coverage, choosing a new insurance plan, switching insurance providers, or simply wanting to make sure you're getting the best fertility coverage, now is the time to act.
Short on time? Fill out the form below, then click the button to instantly download our free guide to financing fertility treatment and understanding your policy!
Wondering what fertility coverage your health insurance plan offers? Here’s an easy-to-understand explanation of what your coverage might include, plus more ways to pay for IVF, IUIs, or other fertility treatments.
Having infertility insurance coverage can be a game-changer in your family-building journey. Here’s how to make sure your health coverage includes IVF, IUIs, and other fertility testing or treatment during the Open Enrollment season.
IVF, IUI, and other fertility treatments are expensive. How are you going to pay for it all? Hopefully, your health insurance! Here are the most important questions you need to ask your provider to see how far your coverage goes.
What is the difference between a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA)? These accounts are both tax-advantaged funds that you can use on qualified medical expenses (which is a long list!). There are some key differences, which we've listed below.
One notable difference is that the deadline to use FSA cash is 12/31/2020. On this date (or after an employer-granted grace period), you will lose any money leftover in the account. Using up the funds in your FSA account on qualified medical expenses by this date ensures that you will not miss out on any hard-earned cash. Plus, if your employer adds to the account (and many do!), you could be forfeiting free money.
There are many other specifics about the two accounts that we encourage you to read up on here, and it’s always good to read the fine print for your spending or savings account fund - so you know exactly what’s covered.
Unfortunately, for many LGBTQ+ singles and couples, family building and fertility costs are not covered by insurance. While we and our fellow fertility advocates work to change this, there are some ways that you can help yourself make the most of your coverage. Check out the short list of questions below to ask your employer or insurance provider about your current coverage, or head to this blog for more tips to be your own insurance advocate.
1. Is there a fertility benefit offered at this company? If yes, what treatments and testing are covered? Does this benefit apply to all employees equally?
2. Are there in-network fertility clinics to choose from?
3. Are reimbursements offered to all employees for procedures that are not covered by insurance - like IUI or surrogacy?
4. Are there any exclusions to our fertility/family-building policies?
If your current insurance policy doesn’t seem like it’s going to be much help, open enrollment can be the time to make a change. Ask if your employer offers any additional third party programs to help with family building costs, or investigate some on your own.
You can also use the time after you’ve met your deductible (typically the end of the year) to make the most of your current coverage. While your entire treatment may not be covered, a consultation, baseline fertility testing, and even genetic screening may be covered by insurance. Learn more of what you need to know about fertility costs and coverage here.
One way to help pay for fertility treatment is with grants. The Nest Egg Foundation is a Connecticut-based tax exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization founded in 2015, providing financial grants up to $10,000 for IVF treatment to those who have been unable to start their families due to financial need. Nest Egg Foundation is a collaborative effort between medical and financial professionals, attorneys and others. The Nest Egg Foundation aims to give an opportunity to those struggling with infertility via education and access to treatment.
Find out if you qualify for a Nest Egg Foundation grant here.