What’s the difference between insurance coverage, FSA/HSA, and fertility benefits programs?

Health insurance, typically offered by employers in the US, is a plan that provides financial coverage for some or all of your necessary healthcare expenses.

Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) are additional employer-sponsored benefits. These accounts allow you to save tax-free or tax-deductible funds for eligible healthcare expenses.

Fertility benefits programs are separate, additional insurance or coverage plans that may bridge the gap in fertility coverage in traditional insurance plans. These plans may offer specific coverage, discounts, or funds for fertility care such as diagnostic tests, infertility treatment, and fertility preservation (like sperm freezing).

Examples of fertility benefits providers include:

Carrot

Progyny

Maven

WINFertility

The best way to understand if you have access to fertility benefits is to talk to your employer.