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The following is a summary of “Enhancing Reproductive Access: The Influence of Expanded Employer Fertility Benefits at a Single Academic Center from 2017-2021,” published in the May 2025 issue of American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology by Herweck et al. 

Infertility was recognized as a disease with significant emotional and financial burdens, prompting some states and employers to expand insurance coverage to improve access and reduce disparities in treatment.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine changes in demographics and treatment use before and after expanded fertility insurance coverage at a single institution.  

They performed a chart review at a reproductive clinic in a large urban academic hospital from 2017 to 2021. Descriptive statistics, including means and proportions, were calculated. The pre-implementation period (2017–2018) was compared to the post-implementation period (2019–2021) using chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests.  

The results showed that from 2017 to 2021, 1,586 new individuals accessed fertility care, with 378 before and 1,208 after benefit expansion, reflecting a 162.9% increase. The proportion of individuals aged 38–40 years rose (12.4% vs 17.8%), while those aged 41–42 years (9.3% vs 5.1%) and over 42 years (7.4% vs 6.7%) declined, with no change in those under 38 years (P=0.01). Racial and ethnic distributions remained stable, with non-Hispanic White (41.5% vs 40.0%) and non-Hispanic Black individuals (38.6% vs 39.7%) being most represented (P=0.89). A greater share of individuals without infertility sought care post-expansion (17.5% vs 23.1%; P=0.03), notably for oocyte cryopreservation (12.2% vs 16.7%) and preconception counseling (3.4% vs 5.6%; P=0.02). Oocyte cryopreservation as the highest level of treatment increased (5.8% vs 15.4%), while reported infertility before the first appointment declined (P<0.001).  

Investigators concluded that fertility benefit implementation was associated with changes in treatment utilization and increased engagement in proactive reproductive planning without altering self-reported racial diversity. 

Source: ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(25)00300-X/abstract