Has anyone had experience with Human Resources and IF?

amd1982

I almost picked up the phone to speak with the head of HR at my company, then hung up because I got cold feet. I live in MA, and the one benefit of living in "taxachusetts" is the state mandated infertility coverage. My company is out of the midwest, and they do not have the same law. However, all of my billing goes through MA first before going to the other state, and I'm finding it hard to believe that I'm not entitled to any kind of benefit? Even if I'm not, I'm wondering if any of you ladies have ever brought this up to your HR departments, what your experience was, etc. I work in a male-dominated industry, however there are many females at our home office in HR and I'm wondering if they would have to bring me up by name, etc....I don't really want everyone at my company knowing about my IF issues, but would like to see if there's anything they can do to possibly get some kind of benefits through our insurance company.

 Thanks!

ccam

That is a pretty unusual situation, but I think speaking to someone would be worth a shot.  Have you spoke to your actual insurance company? 

If you do go ahead and speak to your HR department, they legally can't go around telling everyone about your IF issues.  If you are entitled to the coverage, it would be crazy not to find out.  Good luck!

limpetfan

I had to discuss my IF treatment with my HR department because I noticed a discrepancy between HR and my insurance company in the stated coverage.  While they were not particularly sympathetic towards me, they did look into my concern in a confidential manner, and when they realized it was their mistake, they fixed it in a confidential manner as well. 

I believe HR has to keep issues like this confidential, so I'd hope the people in your HR department would act professionally, KWIM?  I'd also be willing to bet you're not the first person to ask them about IF coverage.  

Hope that helps -- good luck

 

pillowass

This all depends on your company, but personally I would not speak to HR. Go directly to your insurance company to find out what your benefits are. Of course HR is supposed to keep these things confidential but ultimately they work for your employer, not you. I have been burned by this type of thing before - can you tell? Good luck!

mswood1977

I would start by calling my insurance company and finding out what if any IF coverage I had.  If you work in MA and the insurance company says your policy doesn't have any of the state mandated IF coverage, then I would contact the HR department and have them look into why your insurance doesn't include the state mandated coverage.

HotChocolate79

***Ticker warning***

I can probably give you some helpful insights, given that I live in MA, work in HR, and struggled with IF. 

The IF coverage mandate only applies to fully ensured benefit plans that originate in MA.   So while I don't know what kind of plan you have, I can tell you that a majority of plans these days are self-insured.  And most of these mandates do not apply to self insured plans.  Even more so if the plan is based in another state. 

So while a benefits rep, if you chose to contact one, will keep your question in confidence, they will not be able to do anything about it.  I suggest you start  by contacting the insurance company and learn as much as you can about your IF coverage, then go from there.