When evaluating fertility benefits, most employers focus on coverage levels, cost, and number of IVF cycles offered. But there’s a less known, behind-the-scenes factor that can make a big difference: the quality of the lab performing genetic testing on embryos. When employers understand this ‘under-the-hood’ detail, they’re better positioned to control costs, elevate the employee experience, and improve family-building outcomes.
In IVF, embryos can be tested with Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) to identify chromosomal abnormalities, which are a major cause of failed implantation and miscarriage. When a tested sample cannot provide a result, known as a no-call, this may occur because no result was generated at all or because the result came back unclear or inconclusive. Although these may seem like small technical issues, each no-call can create the need for additional IVF cycles. A lab with low no-call rates offers more dependable results the first time, improving the overall efficiency of the fertility journey. Beyond the medical benefits, PGT-A can lessen the physical, emotional, and financial strain of IVF by avoiding failed transfers, and early pregnancy losses, helping individuals become pregnant with a healthy baby sooner.
Why lab quality matters in fertility benefits
Low no-call rates in PGT-A are a good indicator of a high-quality lab when they sit alongside recognized accreditations, such as College of American Pathologists (CAP)
and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), rigorous quality control, and experienced embryologists. Employers don’t need to be lab experts, but they do care about the employee experience, costs, and outcomes. Lab quality directly affects all three. Here’s how:
- Reliable PGT-A is designed to lead to better health outcomes. Its primary goal is to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy per cycle and reduce the risk of miscarriage, promoting emotional wellbeing by helping employees feel less stressed and anxious during their fertility journey.
- Fewer repeat tests and IVF procedures mean lower spend on fertility benefits, helping employers manage costs effectively while minimizing stress for their employees by helping them bring home a healthy baby sooner.
- A smoother, more predictable fertility journey gives employees a better experience, and enhances their overall wellbeing by showing they are supported by their employer in one of the most important areas of their lives. Together, these factors help increase employee loyalty and engagement while reducing time away from work.
How lab quality drives employer savings
When an employer offers fertility benefits, the quality of the lab matters because it directly affects how often embryos need to be retested. In a typical IVF cycle with about 10 embryos, a lab with a 5% no-call rate will end up requiring repeat testing in roughly one out of every two cycles, adding about $2,500 in extra costs per cycle. A high-quality lab with a 1% no-call rate, on the other hand, requires repeat testing only about once every ten cycles, costing around $500 per cycle. The difference adds up quickly: employers save roughly $2,000 per IVF cycle simply by using a higher-quality lab. For an employer with 50 covered IVF cycles with genetic testing each year, that translates to about $100,000 in annual savings.
About Kindlabs
Kindbody is the only fertility benefits provider that has an in-house genetics laboratory, Kindlabs, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to delivering fast, precise, and clinically actionable results. Kindlabs is led by Manuel Viotti, PhD, a highly respected genomics expert with deep experience in reproductive genetics, next-generation sequencing, and clinical laboratory leadership. Under his direction, Kindlabs delivers industry-leading accuracy and turnaround times, elevating quality and improving patient outcomes across our network. Kindlabs has one of the lowest no-call rates among PGT laboratories in the United States at about 1.0 percent.
KindlLabs also delivers PGT-A results within five to six days, which is significantly faster than the industry norm where results often take up to ten to fourteen days.This rapid turnaround allows physicians and patients to make informed decisions sooner and reduces unnecessary waiting time during an already emotional phase of treatment. As clinicians, we deeply understand that when waiting for PGT-A results, every single day can feel like an eternity and accelerating this step makes a meaningful difference in the patient experience and care journey.
When it comes to fertility benefits, lab quality plays an important role because it affects the reliability of test results, the likelihood of successful pregnancies, and the overall experience and wellbeing of employees navigating IVF. When evaluating fertility benefits, it’s important for employers to ask their benefits manager about the quality of the lab. Labs with low no-call results directly improve the success of IVF treatments. By taking a closer look ‘under the hood’ and understanding these metrics, employers can make smarter decisions, ensuring fertility programs are both cost-effective and genuinely supportive of their employees’ family-building goals.
To learn how lab quality can improve outcomes and reduce costs for your workforce, get in touch with our team at solutions@kindbody.com
