The Kindbody Blog
Your resource for all things fertility, wellness, and women's health
Recent Posts
- Advanced embryology and laboratory technologies
- Innovation in embryo development
- Expanded laboratory capabilities
- Active treatment cycles and patient care
- Clinical excellence and improved patient outcomes
This approach allows our laboratory teams to dedicate more resources to patients actively undergoing treatment while ensuring long-term stored tissue remains protected in facilities purpose-built for preservation.
A Thoughtful Long-Term Strategy
Our decision to partner with NECC was guided by several important considerations:
- Enhanced long-term specimen protection
- Specialized cryogenic storage expertise
- Robust disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities
- Geographic and regulatory stability for reproductive healthcare
- Additional transport protections and oversight
- Long-term cost management and sustainability
Most importantly, the partnership reflects our commitment to making decisions that prioritize patients and their future family-building goals.
"Patients trust us with some of the most important assets they will ever have—their future family-building options," said David Stern, CEO at Kindbody. "This partnership is an investment in the infrastructure, expertise, and long-term protections necessary to preserve that trust while allowing our clinical teams to remain focused on providing exceptional care."
Looking Ahead
As reproductive healthcare continues to advance, Kindbody remains committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality fertility care while continuously strengthening the systems that support our patients.
Our partnership with NECC represents an important step forward in that commitment—combining clinical excellence, specialized expertise, and a patient-first approach to help protect reproductive tissue and support families for years to come.
Because when it comes to preserving future possibilities, protecting what matters most will always remain our highest priority.
" ["post_title"]=> string(111) "Protecting What Matters Most: Strengthening Long-Term Reproductive Tissue Storage Through Partnership with NECC" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(217) "As reproductive healthcare continues to advance, Kindbody remains committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality fertility care while continuously strengthening the systems that support our patients." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(110) "protecting-what-matters-most-strengthening-long-term-reproductive-tissue-storage-through-partnership-with-necc" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-06-18 10:13:39" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-18 14:13:39" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11959" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [4]=> object(WP_Post)#16728 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(11953) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 15:15:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 19:15:14" ["post_content"]=> string(5045) "Family-building is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and inclusive fertility benefits are an increasingly important way employers can support employees across a wide range of paths to parenthood. Employer surveys consistently show that fertility and family-building benefits are increasingly added in response to employee feedback, with benefits consultants reporting that demand from employees is one of the primary drivers of expanded coverage.
The following email templates can be used to start a conversation with HR about expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees. One is written from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ employee, and the other from an ally standpoint. Both are designed to help clearly and respectfully communicate why inclusive coverage matters and how it supports employees across a range of paths to parenthood.
Subject: Request for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits
Dear HR Team,
I’m writing to share feedback about our current benefits offerings and to encourage the company to consider expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees.
As an LGBTQ+ employee, family building often comes with additional financial, medical, and logistical barriers. Many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples rely on services such as IVF, IUI, donor sperm or eggs, reciprocal IVF, fertility preservation, surrogacy, or adoption support in order to become parents. Unfortunately, many traditional health plans were not designed with LGBTQ+ pathways to parenthood in mind, leaving significant gaps in coverage and support.
Inclusive family-building benefits are increasingly becoming an important part of comprehensive healthcare and DEI strategies at leading employers. These benefits not only support employees during deeply personal life moments, but also help companies attract and retain talent, improve employee wellbeing, and foster a more inclusive workplace culture.
I believe expanding fertility and family-building support would have a meaningful impact on employees across the organization, including LGBTQ+ employees, single parents by choice, and individuals facing infertility or other reproductive health challenges.
I would welcome the opportunity to share additional resources or feedback if helpful, and I appreciate your consideration of this important area of employee support.
Thank you for your time and for the work you do to support employees.
—------
Subject: Request for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits
Dear HR Team,
I’m writing to encourage the company to consider expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees.
As workplaces continue to prioritize inclusion and employee wellbeing, family-building benefits have become an increasingly important part of creating equitable support systems for employees at all stages of life. This is especially important for LGBTQ+ employees, who often face additional financial, medical, and logistical barriers when pursuing parenthood.
Many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples rely on services such as IVF, IUI, donor sperm or eggs, reciprocal IVF, surrogacy, fertility preservation, or adoption support to grow their families. Unfortunately, many traditional health plans still do not fully support these pathways, creating gaps in access and affordability.
Offering inclusive fertility and family-building benefits would demonstrate a meaningful commitment to supporting diverse employees and families. These benefits can also positively impact recruitment, retention, employee satisfaction, and overall workplace culture.
I know this topic would resonate with many employees across the organization, including LGBTQ+ employees, people navigating infertility, single parents by choice, and others exploring nontraditional paths to parenthood.
I appreciate your consideration and would be happy to help share additional information or resources if helpful.
Thank you for your time and for the work you do to support employees.
" ["post_title"]=> string(70) "Advocating for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits: Email Template" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(414) "The following email templates can be used to start a conversation with HR about expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees. One is written from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ employee, and the other from an ally standpoint. Both are designed to help clearly and respectfully communicate why inclusive coverage matters and how it supports employees across a range of paths to parenthood." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(69) "advocating-for-more-inclusive-family-building-benefits-email-template" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 15:15:15" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 19:15:15" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11953" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [5]=> object(WP_Post)#16692 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(11935) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 12:21:20" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 16:21:20" ["post_content"]=> string(7258) "In recent years, conversations about fertility and family building have become more visible in the workplace. For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, this shift has been especially important. More LGBTQ+ people are actively planning to grow their families through IVF, IUI, reciprocal IVF, surrogacy, and adoption, yet access to coverage still varies widely across employers.
While some companies are expanding inclusive family-building benefits, many still have gaps in coverage for LGBTQ+ employees, particularly around donor gametes, surrogacy, fertility preservation, and adoption. Today, only a portion of large employers offer fertility benefits, which means many LGBTQ+ employees are still paying out of pocket for medically necessary and emotionally significant care.
These journeys can be costly, complex, and emotionally demanding. Inclusive fertility benefits help reduce financial strain while also signaling that all paths to parenthood are valued equally.
Asking for fertility benefits can feel personal, but you are far from alone. Many employers have added or expanded coverage directly in response to employee requests, including from LGBTQ+ employees and allies advocating for more inclusive policies.
So how do you ask for fertility and family-building benefits at work?
Do your research
Start by understanding both the business case and the inclusion gap.
For LGBTQ+ employees, fertility benefits are not only about IVF coverage. They often need inclusive policies that support a wider range of pathways, including:
- IVF and IUI
- Reciprocal IVF
- Egg or sperm donation
- Fertility preservation prior to gender-affirming care
- Surrogacy support and coordination
- Adoption and foster care support
From an employer perspective, fertility and family-building benefits are increasingly tied to recruitment, retention, and inclusion goals. They are often positioned as a core component of DEI and total rewards strategy.
Research shows that employees who receive fertility coverage are more likely to stay with their employer, report higher engagement, and feel greater loyalty. This applies strongly to LGBTQ+ employees, for whom inclusive benefits can be a deciding factor in whether a workplace feels safe and supportive.
Approach HR (or bring in an ally)
Talking to HR about fertility and family building can feel vulnerable, especially for LGBTQ+ employees who may not be out at work or who have experienced previous exclusion.
If you prefer not to do it alone, consider involving an ally. This could be:
- A manager you trust
- A colleague or mentor
- A member of an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG)
- A benefits or People team advocate
You are not alone in needing these benefits. Many LGBTQ+ employees and their allies are raising these same questions across organizations. In some cases, an ally or ERG leader can help initiate or amplify the conversation in a way that feels safer and more comfortable.
There is strength in numbers
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are often one of the most effective ways to drive change in workplace benefits.
For LGBTQ+ employees, LGBTQ+ ERGs (and intersecting groups such as parents, caregivers, or DEI councils) can play a key role in:
- Highlighting gaps in family-building coverage for LGBTQ+ pathways
- Bringing visibility to shared needs across the organization
- Partnering with HR to shape more inclusive benefits design
In some cases, ERGs or employee groups may also choose to organize a simple employee petition or sign-on letter. This can be a powerful way to demonstrate broad, visible demand for inclusive fertility and family-building benefits, especially when it reflects multiple identities and departments across the company. A petition does not need to be complicated; even a clear statement of need paired with employee signatures can help leadership understand the level of interest and urgency.
If you want to bring this forward through an ERG, consider reaching out to the ERG lead and asking:
- Whether inclusive family-building benefits are already on their agenda
- If they would be willing to sponsor or elevate the conversation with HR
- How you can contribute employee perspectives or stories (if you are comfortable)
Collective advocacy can be especially powerful in making sure LGBTQ+ family-building needs are not overlooked in broader fertility benefit discussions.
We can help
If you’re interested in bringing Kindbody to your workplace, we can support that conversation. You can fill out this form and we can reach out to your company on your behalf, either anonymously or directly, depending on your preference.
" ["post_title"]=> string(79) "How LGBTQ+ Employees Can Ask for Fertility and Family-Building Benefits at Work" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(249) "Asking for fertility benefits can feel personal, but you are far from alone. Many employers have added or expanded coverage directly in response to employee requests, including from LGBTQ+ employees and allies advocating for more inclusive policies." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(78) "how-lgbtq-employees-can-ask-for-fertility-and-family-building-benefits-at-work" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 12:21:21" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 16:21:21" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11935" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post_count"]=> int(6) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["before_loop"]=> bool(true) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["post"]=> object(WP_Post)#6232 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(11973) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2026-07-09 12:00:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-07-09 16:00:00" ["post_content"]=> string(4992) "This article was originally published by MedCity News:
The challenge isn’t just access to fertility benefits, it’s how those benefits are structured and delivered. Here are three emerging themes that can help employers better align cost, quality and experience.
Employers are continuing to expand fertility benefits, but many still don’t have a clear understanding of what they’re actually paying for. With the White House encouraging businesses to expand fertility coverage, employers have an opportunity to lead – not by simply increasing spend, but by demanding better outcomes.
A recent survey from the Purchaser Business Group on Health underscores a broader issue in U.S. healthcare, cost does not consistently correlate with quality, and prices continue to rise without clear rationale. Employers are spending more each year on healthcare, while employees are often left navigating complex treatment options, uneven access, and limited support. The result is frustration on all sides: rising costs for employers, inconsistent care for employees, and a widening gap between the promise and reality of benefits.
Nowhere is this more evident than in reproductive health, a space where pricing varies widely, outcomes are high stakes, and employees expect coverage (and are willing to switch jobs to get it). Seventy percent of large employers now offer some fertility benefits, but few have a clear understanding of what they’re paying for, or how to measure quality and outcomes. With fertility costs rising faster than wages or inflation, reproductive health benefits have become essential to recruiting and retaining top talent.
The challenge isn’t just access to fertility benefits, it’s how those benefits are structured and delivered. Across the industry, three themes are emerging that can help employers better align cost, quality and experience.
First, look “under the hood” when evaluating healthcare options. Don’t just look at the price tag; compare the outcomes. High-quality medical care saves money in the long run and leads to better results. Accurate diagnostics, advanced lab practices, and evidence-based protocols increase the likelihood of pregnancy and reduce the number of failed IVF cycles – saving time, money, and emotional strain for employees.
Second, prioritize collaboration, not fragmentation. Fertility care works best when clinicians, labs, and pharmacies operate in a more coordinated way. Collaboration enables faster, better-informed decisions, reduces referrals, and shortens the time to pregnancy. It also lowers costs by avoiding redundant testing and treatment. For employees, integrated care means less logistical stress and more confidence in the process.
Third, demand transparency in drug pricing. IVF medications can be one of the most opaque and wasteful parts of the process. Typically, patients receive their rebates at the end of the year, if at all, while leftover drugs go unused. More transparent approaches, including upfront drug pricing, same-day delivery, and as-needed dispensing, reduces waste and helps employees with financial planning.
As employers continue to expand fertility benefits, the focus is shifting from access alone to value, how care is delivered, what outcomes are achieved, and how employees experience the process. Fertility is no longer a niche offering, expectations around quality, transparency, and results will continue to rise.
" ["post_title"]=> string(83) "MedCity News: Our CEO David Stern Shares a Smarter Approach to Fertility Benefits " ["post_excerpt"]=> string(327) "Employers are continuing to expand fertility benefits, but many still don’t have a clear understanding of what they’re actually paying for. With the White House encouraging businesses to expand fertility coverage, employers have an opportunity to lead – not by simply increasing spend, but by demanding better outcomes. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(80) "medcity-news-our-ceo-david-stern-shares-a-smarter-approach-to-fertility-benefits" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-07-08 17:00:22" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-07-08 21:00:22" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11973" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } ["comment_count"]=> int(0) ["current_comment"]=> int(-1) ["found_posts"]=> int(381) ["max_num_pages"]=> int(64) ["max_num_comment_pages"]=> int(0) ["is_single"]=> bool(false) ["is_preview"]=> bool(false) ["is_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_archive"]=> bool(false) ["is_date"]=> bool(false) ["is_year"]=> bool(false) ["is_month"]=> bool(false) ["is_day"]=> bool(false) ["is_time"]=> bool(false) ["is_author"]=> bool(false) ["is_category"]=> bool(false) ["is_tag"]=> bool(false) ["is_tax"]=> bool(false) ["is_search"]=> bool(false) ["is_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_comment_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_trackback"]=> bool(false) ["is_home"]=> bool(true) ["is_privacy_policy"]=> bool(false) ["is_404"]=> bool(false) ["is_embed"]=> bool(false) ["is_paged"]=> bool(false) ["is_admin"]=> bool(false) ["is_attachment"]=> bool(false) ["is_singular"]=> bool(false) ["is_robots"]=> bool(false) ["is_favicon"]=> bool(false) ["is_posts_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_post_type_archive"]=> bool(false) ["query_vars_hash":"WP_Query":private]=> string(32) "d9e121787b9047052211140817acca19" ["query_vars_changed":"WP_Query":private]=> bool(true) ["thumbnails_cached"]=> bool(false) ["allow_query_attachment_by_filename":protected]=> bool(false) ["stopwords":"WP_Query":private]=> NULL ["compat_fields":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(15) "query_vars_hash" [1]=> string(18) "query_vars_changed" } ["compat_methods":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(16) "init_query_flags" [1]=> string(15) "parse_tax_query" } ["query_cache_key":"WP_Query":private]=> string(41) "wp_query:e3b16194b58da601d8837819b7d06f08" ["tribe_is_event"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_multi_posttype"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_category"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_venue"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_organizer"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_query"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_past"]=> bool(false) }MedCity News: Our CEO David Stern Shares a Smarter Approach to Fertility Benefits
Employers are continuing to expand fertility benefits, but many still don’t have a clear understanding of what they’re actually paying for. With the White House encouraging businesses to expand fertility coverage, employers have an opportunity to lead – not by simply increasing spend, but by demanding better outcomes.
Celibeth Thomas
Returning to Kindbody feels like coming home to the place where our fears were met with compassion and our hopes turned into miracles. To anyone considering IVF or beginning this journey: it is not easy, but you do not have to walk it alone. With the right care, the right team, and the right support, hope is always possible. Kindbody gave us more than fertility care they gave us trust, confidence, and our family.
Pride in Every Path to Parenthood: A Surrogacy Journey
As Pride Month comes to a close, we’re proud to highlight a family-building story that reflects the power of perseverance and support. Our colleague, Matt shares the surrogacy journey he and his husband, David, went through and the lessons they learned along the way.
Protecting What Matters Most: Strengthening Long-Term Reproductive Tissue Storage Through Partnership with NECC
As reproductive healthcare continues to advance, Kindbody remains committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality fertility care while continuously strengthening the systems that support our patients.
Advocating for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits: Email Template
The following email templates can be used to start a conversation with HR about expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees. One is written from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ employee, and the other from an ally standpoint. Both are designed to help clearly and respectfully communicate why inclusive coverage matters and how it supports employees across a range of paths to parenthood.
How LGBTQ+ Employees Can Ask for Fertility and Family-Building Benefits at Work
Asking for fertility benefits can feel personal, but you are far from alone. Many employers have added or expanded coverage directly in response to employee requests, including from LGBTQ+ employees and allies advocating for more inclusive policies.
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