by WEX Benefits
Roughly 1 in 6 adults worldwide are affected by infertility. Reasons can vary, which is why wide-ranging fertility benefits can also improve the lives of any adult wanting to start a family. And did you know that a variety of fertility and infertility treatments are eligible for health savings account (HSA) and medical flexible spending account (FSA) funds? Keep reading if you're interested in supporting your employees with these needs.
What are fertility benefits?
Fertility benefits provide support and financial assistance to individuals or couples seeking fertility treatments or services. These benefits are designed to help people who are facing difficulties conceiving naturally and require medical assistance to achieve pregnancy.
Fertility assistance and treatments can be costly, with little to no coverage. Most people using fertility services pay thousands of dollars out of pocket without insurance.
What are some fertility treatment examples?
There is a wide range of potential treatments and services, including:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Fertility medications
- Diagnostic testing
- Egg freezing
- Fertility counseling and consultations
- Adoption assistance
- And more
What fertility treatment does an HSA or FSA cover?
Fertility treatments will qualify for HSA and medical FSA funds to the extent that procedures are performed on the participant, spouse, or another individual whose expenses are eligible for tax-free reimbursement. Examples are:
- IVF (in vitro fertilization — including temporary storage of eggs or sperm)
- Surgery (including an operation to reverse prior surgery preventing someone from having children)
- Shots
- Treatments
- GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer)
Expenses paid to or for an in vitro surrogate usually do not qualify, nor do egg donor expenses unless preparatory to a procedure performed on the participant, spouse, or another individual whose expenses are eligible for tax-free reimbursement.
What infertility treatments does an HSA or FSA cover?
Egg donor fees
Egg donor fees, when deemed medically necessary by a doctor who has provided the information needed, are covered by a HSA and FSA.
Eggs and embryos
An FSA and HSA will cover temporary storage for fertility storage. It will also cover any procedures to implant donor eggs and embryos, also including fertility medication. An FSA will not cover long-term storage.
Surrogate expenses
Neither a HSA or FSA will cover surrogate mother expenses.
Are you looking for more ways to support your employees' fertility needs? Here are a few to-dos for you.
The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax and investment advisers.
WEX receives compensation from some of the merchants identified in its blog posts. By linking to these products, WEX is not endorsing these products or the content of the merchants’ websites. WEX also can’t ensure that merchants won’t change the content on the websites linked in this blog post.
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