Undergoing fertility treatments in the pursuit of parenthood can be a burdensome and stressful experience. Navigating care, understanding costs, and exploring treatment options is a process that’s unique and personal to each patient. And like any medical care, having a supported experience can make all the difference when it comes to outcomes.
That’s where patient care advocates (PCAs) come in. These advocates work with members to help them understand their benefit, make informed choices in their care, and connect with the right resources at the right time. For organizations looking to add or expand fertility benefits, these advocates are essential.
Here’s are ten ways having member advocacy built into your fertility benefit can make a significant difference for your members:
- Emotional support: Infertility can be emotionally challenging. A patient care advocate provides emotional support by being a compassionate and empathetic presence throughout the journey. They can offer guidance on coping strategies, help manage stress, and connect individuals and couples with the specific resources they need.
- Information and education: Fertility treatments can be complex and overwhelming. Patient care advocates serve as a valuable source of information, explaining medical procedures, treatment options, and potential outcomes in plain language. They ensure that members have a clear understanding of their choices and can make informed decisions.
- Care coordination: Fertility treatments and extended care services (think pregnancy/maternity, postpartum, and return-to-work) can involve multiple providers and appointments. A patient care advocate helps coordinate care, ensuring appointments are scheduled and that all necessary tests and treatments are organized in a logical way.
- Financial guidance: Patient care advocates can help individuals and couples understand their benefit, explore any costs associated with fertility care, and understand billing questions, which can play a significant role in reducing the financial stress often associated with fertility care.
- Advocacy with providers and other services: Advocates can act as liaisons between members and providers. They can also help facilitate communication among the various specialists involved in fertility care to create a more cohesive and collaborative treatment plan.
- Access to resources: Patient care advocates are well-connected in the fertility space and, if they’re trained on a labor organization’s existing benefits, can serve as an extension of your benefits team by connecting members with valuable resources such as mental health support, assistance programs, and more.
- Customized care: Every fertility journey is unique. Patient care advocates tailor their support to meet the specific needs and preferences of each individual or couple. They ensure that the care provided aligns with the patient’s values, beliefs, and family-building goals.
- Reduced stress: By handling the logistical aspects of the fertility journey and keeping members informed, patient care advocates help alleviate stress. This allows members to focus on their physical and emotional well-being, ultimately contributing to better mental health.
- Advocacy for inclusivity: Patient care advocates can provide culturally competent support that aligns with a member’s unique needs. For instance, the potential for disorders such as Sickle Cell Disease in Black communities or Tay-Sachs Disease in Jewish and French-Canadian populations adds a complex layer to the journey for these members. Having an advocate who understands these unique situations can provide these members with tailored support can lead to better outcomes.
- Continuity of care: Patient care advocates provide continuity of care, offering support from the initial consultation through treatment, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. This consistency ensures that members have a reliable ally throughout their entire fertility journey.
Providing fertility and family forming benefits for your members is a great start to fostering a more inclusive and equitable benefits package, but if your benefit doesn’t include individualized advocate support, your members may be missing out. Embracing fertility benefits that include patient advocate support alleviates stress, leads to better results, and shows your organization’s commitment to the holistic well-being of your members.
You support your members at every step of their journey. Your fertility benefit should, too.
Interested in learning more about a fully supported fertility experience for your members? Contact us: Stacey Hofert, Stacey.Hofert@progyny.com 847-372-9959 or Ron Abrahall, RN Ronald.Abrahall@progyny.com 631-294-2012.
Ron Abrahall has held both elected and appointed union positions since 1982. He has served as a representative for the New York State Nurses Association, a former president of USW 9544, past President of BMFNHP AFT/ NYSUT, NYPD officer and a Neuro-Surgical Intensive Care RN.
