As workplace dynamics evolve, so too do the expectations employees have for their benefits packages. Employees are no longer just looking for basic health insurance and a 401(k)—they’re seeking inclusive, supportive benefits that acknowledge the full spectrum of life events, including family-building and fertility care.
Among the most requested yet often overlooked benefits is fertility support. With one in six people globally facing infertility, offering solutions such as a Fertility Assistance Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is not only compassionate—it’s smart business.
Let’s dive into what a Fertility Assistance HRA is, how it works, and four powerful reasons employers should consider adding it to their benefits offering.
A Fertility Assistance HRA is a tax-advantaged, employer-funded account that reimburses employees for qualified fertility-related medical expenses. These may include diagnostic tests, treatments, medications, and services that are often not covered—or only partially covered—by traditional health insurance.
Unlike Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the HRA is entirely employer-funded. Employees do not contribute to it, and unused funds typically revert to the employer, helping manage long-term costs.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Artificial Insemination (IUI)
Ovulation monitoring and pregnancy testing
Fertility preservation (e.g., egg or sperm freezing)
Medications related to fertility treatments
Fertility clinic consultations and follow-ups
Employers can customize which expenses are reimbursable, set annual limits, and determine how the plan fits within their overall benefits strategy.
Fertility treatments can cost tens of thousands of dollars. For example, a single IVF cycle can range between $12,000–$20,000, and multiple cycles are often required. These treatments are emotionally taxing and financially draining, especially when traditional insurance offers little to no support.
Employees facing these challenges often feel isolated and unsupported. Providing a Fertility Assistance HRA helps alleviate the financial stress while demonstrating genuine care and inclusivity.
Employees—especially millennials and Gen Z—are placing a high value on inclusive and flexible benefits. This includes:
LGBTQ+ family-building support
Single-parent fertility preservation
Delayed childbearing for career planning or health reasons
By including fertility support in your benefits, you’re addressing the evolving needs of your workforce and building a more inclusive, modern employer brand.
When employees feel supported in both their professional and personal lives, they’re more loyal, productive, and engaged. Fertility is a deeply personal and emotionally sensitive journey. Offering financial support through an HRA can significantly ease this burden, fostering trust and respect.
In fact, many employees rank family-building support as equally important to parental leave. When you empower employees during critical life stages, you gain long-term loyalty.
Employees feel recognized and valued
Emotional stress is reduced, improving mental health
Company culture becomes more empathetic and inclusive
By giving your team the tools to navigate life’s challenges, you create a workplace where people thrive—not just work.
Recruitment in today’s economy isn’t just about salary—it’s about values. Job seekers are drawn to companies that offer comprehensive, inclusive benefits that reflect the diversity of their lives.
Attract skilled professionals who prioritize work-life balance
Compete with large corporations offering advanced benefits
Strengthen your employer brand as inclusive and forward-thinking
According to Mercer’s Health on Demand report, 61% of employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers fertility or family-building support. This trend is only growing.
Employers often shy away from expanding benefits out of concern for rising costs. However, Fertility Assistance HRAs are one of the most budget-friendly ways to expand coverage. Why?
Because you control:
The eligible expenses
The annual funding cap per employee
Whether funds roll over or revert back to the company
This structure provides clear budget predictability. You invest only what your business can afford while still offering a high-value benefit.
Additionally, early access to fertility services can reduce complications, hospitalizations, and long-term costs associated with high-risk pregnancies or untreated infertility.
One of the most powerful reasons to implement fertility benefits is to actively support your organization’s DEI strategy. Fertility care isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s essential healthcare for:
Same-sex couples using donor eggs/sperm or surrogacy
Transgender individuals preserving fertility before transition
Single individuals who choose to pursue parenthood
By providing equitable access to family-building resources, you acknowledge the diverse identities and life paths of your workforce.
Offering a Fertility Assistance HRA aligns your benefits with your company’s values and sends a powerful message: Everyone’s family story deserves support.
A Fertility Assistance HRA is simple to administer and easy for employees to use. Here’s how the process typically works:
Employer creates the plan with a TPA (third-party administrator) and outlines eligible services and spending limits
Employee incurs an eligible expense (e.g., IVF treatment, fertility meds)
Employee submits documentation (e.g., receipt, medical statement) to the TPA
Employer reimburses the employee, up to the annual allowance
Unused funds typically return to the employer
Employers can set different plan designs for various employee tiers, dependents, or family structures, making this benefit extremely flexible and customizable.
Introducing a Fertility Assistance HRA requires thoughtful planning and clear communication. Here are a few tips:
Provide easy-to-read guides, FAQs, and enrollment materials that explain how the benefit works. Include it in onboarding packets and open enrollment meetings.
A third-party administrator ensures claims are handled confidentially and IRS rules are followed. They can also provide employees with one-on-one support.
Promote the HRA as part of your broader commitment to diversity, inclusion, and total wellness. This positioning helps the benefit resonate with a wider audience.
After launching the benefit, ask employees what’s working and what could be improved. Over time, you can expand or adjust coverage to meet real needs.
Family building is not one-size-fits-all—and neither are your employees’ needs. Offering a Fertility Assistance HRA ensures your team feels supported, seen, and valued. It removes barriers to care, reduces emotional and financial stress, and reinforces your role as a people-first employer.
By investing in this forward-looking benefit, you’re not only improving individual lives—you’re future-proofing your workforce.
At Bene-Care, we help employers design and implement customizable Fertility Assistance HRAs that align with their values, budgets, and workforce demographics.
Our team of Benefits Specialists can help you:
Understand IRS guidelines
Select covered services
Communicate benefits clearly to your team
Maximize ROI through smart benefit planning
Whether you’re just starting to explore fertility benefits or are ready to build a customized HRA, we’re here to help you make it happen.
Navigating fertility benefits and building inclusive healthcare strategies can be complex, whether you’re designing a new plan or improving an existing one. Understanding how a Fertility Assistance HRA works—and how it can be customized to meet the needs of your team—requires thoughtful planning and expert insight.
That’s where Bene-Care comes in. Our experienced Benefits Specialists are here to help you explore Fertility Assistance HRAs, determine the right coverage options, and align your benefit offerings with your budget and organizational values. Whether you’re looking to support growing families, improve employee retention, or expand DEI-focused benefits, we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t let uncertainty about fertility coverage keep your benefits strategy from evolving. Contact us today to speak with a Benefits Specialist and discover how a Fertility Assistance HRA can elevate your workforce and create lasting value for your business.
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