How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

I work for a multibillion dollar company with thousands of employees. I pay a decent amount of money to have the highest insurance offered to me by my company. Even though my insurance company offers IF coverage my company does not have this as part of our coverage. They cover basic testing. All of you know that have been through all of this knows that "basic" testing is pretty much nothing.

Now I am thousands of dollars in debt and still not pregnant. I just don't get how I can't even get a IUI. I would like to go forward and try to change this. I know I would have to go to HR and to begin with and try to fight this. Not just for me but, for other ppl that work here. Can anyone give me any advice?

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

I have a good relationship with my HR person, so I would probably call her and ask her what her thoughts were on it first. Then if I didnt get anywhere, I'd send a letter to the CEO, asking for a response within a specific time frame. Not sure where I'd take it if the response was not favorable after that, probably repeated compllaints/letters. The squeaky wheel gets the oil!

I think it's great you're doing this. GL!

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

I would start with HR but just know it probably won't be easy.

While yes there are probably tons of women in the company the cost it would be to add the coverage might not be worth it when they weigh it agains those that would actually take advantage of it.

Any insurance company can offer it...it just comes down to whether the company feels that it is an expense they are will to take on....or put out there for all employees to pay for it. I highly doubt they could say ok you want this extra coverage you pay X dollars more a month.

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

Check out Resolve.org - they are a national infertlity organization. They focus on lobbying the gov't to help pass mandatory IF laws and they also have local chapters. I definitely think they give you the best advice on how to initiate something like this at your job!

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

At my last job I was in charge of benefits and plan design. When I had my broker factor this added IF coverage in, the yearly premium went up by about $22K and my company wouldn't go for it. A portion of that cost would have been passed down to the employees to pay and it would have been a pretty big increase out of the bi-weekly pay as well.

I know it stinks to have little to no coverage, but I'm sure it all comes down to the $$ factor to the company. You could ask your HR/Benefits person to look into it for the new plan year. If they do a January renewal - now would be the time to mention it.

Message edited 9/28/2011 1:50:58 PM.

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

When we were you g through ivf, dh went to the top if his company (fortune top 500) & asked them about why infertility was not covered. He was basically told that the premium is much higher for the company & honestly they felt the demand was not there to warrant such an absorbant number. We did not even have monitoring coverage. We paid for all 3 iuis & a round of ivf.

Re: How would you go about fighting your company for IF coverage?

Thank you so much for your responses. It puts it more in perspective for me.