Benefits with a Difference: Medavie Blue Cross Creates Family Building Benefit to Support the Journey to Parenthood

Everyone’s journey to parenthood is different and for some, it can be a challenging and costly experience, physically, emotionally and financially. Recognizing the diverse paths that individuals and couples take to start and expand their families, Medavie Blue Cross has created the Family Building Benefit to help with eligible expenses associated with fertility treatments, surrogacy and adoption.

In Canada, roughly one in six couples (16%) experience infertility, a number that has doubled since the 1980s. And more and more, young 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians (63%) are turning to assisted reproductive technology, foster care or adoption to become parents. Yet, the costs are prohibitive. In vitro fertilization (IVF) ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 Canadian per cycle, on average. Surrogacy costs can reach $80,000, while private adoption costs start at $15,000 per child. Considering these costs and other factors, alternative family building options become necessary for many.

“With a mission to improve the wellbeing of Canadians, our aim is help people access the type of care that best supports their personal needs,” says, Shane Reid, Director, Drug and Product Management. “The suite of options available within our Family Building Benefit is designed to help individuals and couples access comprehensive and tailored support for their family-building goals.”

Fertility benefits present a valuable opportunity to help employees manage related financial burdens, all at a modest cost to employers. Research, otherwise, indicates that 50 per cent of Canadians consider taking on a second job to offset the costs of fertility treatments, while 37 per cent consider selling minor possessions and another 36 per cent accrue credit card debt.

The same research also shows that fertility can impact people’s work productivity and performance and outlines that fertility benefits are a crucial part of employee recruitment and retention.ⁱⁱⁱ Seventy-five per cent of respondents consider fertility benefits at work to be an important part of an inclusive company culture, and 65 per cent would change jobs to work for a company that offers fertility benefits.ⁱⁱⁱ

As optional coverage supplementing government-funded programs, employees can access financial support through the Family Building Benefit that can be put towards fertility treatments,* including IVF, adoption fees and other related expenses.

“Finding ways to support individuals and couples on their journeys to parenthood not only nurtures hope but also provides the opportunity to support choices and enhance overall wellbeing,” says Reid. “Our focus is creating inclusive, family-friendly benefits that make a real difference.”

References

ⁱ Fertility Matters. What is Fertility. Accessed November 2023.

ⁱⁱ Family Equality. LGBTQ Family Building Survey. Accessed November 2023.

ⁱⁱⁱ The Health Insider. The Price of Parenthood: A Breakdown of IVF Costs Across Canada. Accessed November 2023.

^iv Surrogacy in Canada Online. Cost of Surrogacy. Accessed November 2023.

^v Canada Adopts. Adopting in Canada FAQs. Accessed November 2023.

^vi Carrot Fertility. Fertility at Work: A Global Report. Accessed November 2023.