Top 50 Fertility- and Adoption-Friendly Companies in the U.S.: The List |
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JPAGE_CURRENT_OF_TOTAL How We Did ItTo find Conceive’s 50 Best Fertility-Friendly and Adoption-Friendly Companies for 2009, we first sent out surveys (with detailed questions about infertility and adoption benefits, and parental leave policy) to over 200 companies, including those that had been included in our list before, and companies that had contacted Conceive asking to be included in future surveys. Then we added to this list by trolling blogs and Internet postings at places such as INCIID (The InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination Inc.), followed readers’ tips, surveyed top companies from the second Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list, and collected data and suggestions from industry leaders and nonprofit organizations. While it’s certainly possible that we overlooked a lesser-known company with great benefits, we’re confident the companies we highlighted deserve to be recognized. Our ranking system Our Ranking System This year, for the first time, we added a fourth star to our former three-star ranking system. The fourth star is to recognize companies with truly exceptional benefits (which is why, for instance, a company may have no financial adoption benefits, but still receive adoption stars). Additionally, paid leave was taken into account when assigning stars this year. For fertility treatment, we awarded four stars to companies that (through their health insurance) offer more than $100,000 for ART (assisted reproductive technologies) or $60,000 for treatment combined with generous paid leave. Following the standard set by The National Infertility Association—which values a completed IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycle at $10,000 including all medications, monitoring, and retrieval—we counted one cycle as the equivalent of $10,000. Three stars were given to companies that offer three or more cycles of IVF (or $35,000 to $59,000 worth of treatments, or $30,000 plus substantial paid leave for birth moms). Two stars went to those workplaces that offer treatment coverage below $35,000. One fertility star was awarded for companies offering coverage only for diagnostic procedures and infertility prescription drugs. For the adoption criteria, four stars went to companies that give more than $15,000 toward the adoption of a child (or $10,000 combined with a very generous paid leave for adoptive primary caregivers). Three adoption stars are for companies that offer $10,000 or more toward an adoption. Two adoption stars are for an award of $5,000 or more combined with paid leave for adoptive parents. And one adoption star goes to those companies that offer $5,000 without any paid leave for adoptive parents. |
