How Employer Fertility Benefits Work — and Whether You Can Use Them Abroad

Bottom line up front: A growing number of US employers now offer fertility benefits — from insurance coverage to dedicated fertility benefit platforms like Progyny, Carrot, and Maven. If your employer offers these benefits, you may be able to apply them toward IVF treatment abroad, but the details matter. This guide explains how employer fertility benefits typically work, what questions to ask, and how to maximize your coverage when considering treatment in Colombia.

The Employer Fertility Benefits Landscape

As of 2025, over 40% of large US employers (500+ employees) offer some form of fertility benefit, up from roughly 30% in 2020. This trend is accelerating as companies compete for talent and recognize that fertility support reduces turnover and improves employee wellbeing. Benefits range from basic insurance coverage for diagnostics to comprehensive programs covering multiple IVF cycles, egg freezing, surrogacy support, and adoption assistance.

The most common benefit structures include insurance coverage through your health plan (may cover diagnostics and sometimes IVF, often with lifetime maximums), dedicated fertility platforms (Progyny, Carrot, Maven, WINFertility) that provide a set dollar amount or "smart cycles," employer-funded fertility stipends ($10,000–$50,000 reimbursement), and health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts that can cover fertility expenses.

Can You Use Employer Benefits Abroad?

This is the critical question, and the answer depends entirely on your specific benefit structure.

Insurance-based coverage typically requires in-network providers, which limits you to domestic clinics. However, out-of-network benefits may provide partial reimbursement for international treatment. Check your specific plan documents or call your insurance company to ask about out-of-network fertility coverage and whether international providers qualify.

Employer stipends and reimbursement programs are often more flexible. If your employer provides a fertility stipend (a set dollar amount you can spend on fertility treatment), many programs allow international treatment as long as you provide itemized receipts from an accredited clinic. Colombian clinics can provide detailed English-language invoices suitable for reimbursement.

HSA/FSA funds can generally be used for any qualified medical expense, including international fertility treatment. IVF is a qualifying expense, and both clinic fees and travel costs directly related to medical care may be eligible. Consult your plan administrator or tax advisor for specifics.

The Financial Strategy

Even if your employer benefit covers only a portion of treatment costs, combining partial employer coverage with Colombia's lower prices can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket expense. For example, if your employer offers a $15,000 fertility stipend and a Colombian IVF cycle costs $6,000–$8,500 including medications, your out-of-pocket cost may be minimal — and the stipend could cover multiple cycles.

In contrast, that same $15,000 stipend would barely cover a single IVF cycle in the US, leaving you fully responsible for any additional cycles.

Tax Considerations

IVF-related medical expenses, including travel costs primarily for and essential to medical care, may be tax-deductible in the US if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This can include flights, accommodation during treatment, and the medical procedures themselves. Keep all receipts and consult a tax professional to understand how this applies to your situation.

Read more: Complete Cost Guide | Taking Time Off for IVF | IVF in Medellín