What is IVF?
IVF is a treatment for infertility. While IVF can be an effective method of fertility treatment involving the handling of sperm, eggs or embryos, it can be time-consuming, expensive and invasive.
How does IVF work?
IVF involves a series of carefully coordinated steps, starting with stimulating the ovaries to help produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved from the biological female’s body and combined with sperm in a lab. Once fertilization happens, 1 or more embryos are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus, with the hope they will result in a pregnancy.
There are several different types of IVF, and each type has its own advantages. A healthcare provider will work with a person to help determine the best treatment path based on a person’s specific circumstances.
It’s important to remember that IVF success rates can vary from person to person, and there are many factors that can influence the outcome of treatment, including:
- Age
- Reproductive history
- Lifestyle factors
- Cause of infertility
How much does IVF cost in Canada?
The cost of IVF treatment in Canada can vary by procedure type, clinic, and province. The approximate cost for 1 IVF treatment cycle (first try) is around CAD 10,000 to CAD 15,000.
In some provinces the government may provide funding to help cover some of the costs associated with IVF treatments.
How can workplaces support employees and their family building?
With every employee’s path for family building being different, you can help support employees by:
Destigmatizing infertility
Infertility can be a sensitive and challenging issue. You can help your organization by fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable without fear of judgment. This can be achieved through educational sessions, open conversations, and company policies that support those dealing with infertility. There are resources that can help like Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.
Offering fertility treatments
Including family-building coverage in your benefits plan can help make fertility treatments more affordable for employees. The following are examples of fertility treatments covered within our family-building benefit:
- In-vitro maturation
- Assisted hatching
- Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Artificial insemination (AI)
- In-vitro fertilization
Increasing fertility drug maximums
Fertility drugs are often a significant expense in the fertility treatment process. Increasing the maximum coverage for these medications can alleviate financial burdens and make treatments more accessible.
Offering healthcare spending accounts
Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSAs) offers coverage flexibility for individual needs with a set of credits to spend on healthcare expenses, including fertility treatments. This flexible spending option allows employees to use the credits where they need them most.
Making emotional support available
Going through fertility treatments can be emotionally taxing. . Providing access to an employee assistance program (EAP) can help employees manage stress and anxiety during this time.
Access to medical experts
Explore how our arrangement and product offering with Teladoc Medical Experts can support the unique needs of women with this Women’s Health Guide | PDF 9 MB. To learn more or to add Teladoc to your plan, speak with your Canada Life representative.
Adding a non-registered savings plan
A non-registered savings plan allows employees to save money for specific needs, such as fertility treatments, without the restrictions of traditional retirement savings plans. This can give employees more financial flexibility to plan for their family-building needs.
How does offering fertility treatment coverage impact a business?
Providing fertility treatment coverage for employees can impact a business in the following ways:
Comprehensive benefits
By providing Canada Life’s family-building benefit, you can demonstrate attentiveness to the changing needs of your employees. This inclusive benefit can lead to increased job satisfaction, loyalty, and lower turnover rates.
Supporting reproductive decision-making
Canada Life’s family-building benefit empowers employees to make reproductive decisions based on their personal and professional circumstances.