Barbara Freeman estimates that she and her husband Jeff spent less than $500 in out-of-pocket expenses for the fertility treatments that helped bring them their two beautiful daughters. “The benefits here are amazing,” says Barbara, 40, a senior budget analyst for law firm Baker &McKenzie’s Chicago headquarters. “I have several friends who are going into financial debt to finance fertility treatments.”
The law firm provides fertility coverage benefits for up to four cycles of in vitro fertilization, plus unlimited fertility drug coverage. And just this year, effective July 1, Baker & McKenzie doubled their adoption assistance from $5,000 to $10,000, and from $6,000 to $12,000 for a special-needs child.
“We want to send the right message to our people: We care about them and their families,” says Ed Burmeister, a senior partner at the firm and chairman of its international benefits committee. “In this economy, when salaries are flat, we especially want to highlight benefits that fulfill their dreams.” Burmeister continues, “We have a global benefits staff, headed by Alicia Lernor-Adams, being vigilant in looking for these types of benefit enhancements for our staff.”
Barbara Freeman wasn’t aware of how wonderful her law firm’s fertility and adoption benefits were until she needed them. “There was a bit of confusion the first time I went to fill a prescription; I was told the drugs cost $3,000. My heart sank. I thought there was no way we could afford to do this,” recalls Freeman.
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The next day at work, a representative in the benefits department contacted the insurance company directly and made sure the fertility drugs would be available at the $15 co-pay cost. “It was fantastic not worrying about these details since we had other pressing matters on our minds,” says Barbara. “I was grateful the benefits department was there and took a personal interest in assisting us.”
After more than two years of struggling with infertility, Freeman became pregnant on the first round of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Jocelyn James Freeman was born on Oct. 18, 2002.
Two years later, as Barbara and her husband Jeff, 38, who works as a data analyst for a truck suspension manufacturer, tried to have a second child, secondary infertility was a challenge. This time Barbara underwent six rounds of IUI and suffered two early miscarriages. “You feel like a pin cushion after all those shots, and then the heartache,” says Barbara.
But the couple were determined to add to their family; so in 2005 they decided to try in vitro fertilization (IVF). Barbara became pregnant with the first cycle, and the Freeman’s second daughter, Danielle Elise, was born April 7, 2006.
“We have two gorgeous, happy-go-lucky daughters and we are grateful for them,” says Barbara. “It was a tough road for both my husband and myself. We didn’t think we would ever have kids. Without our coverage, we would not have pursued this avenue,” she says. “Hands down, I am most appreciative of my employer for the fertility benefits.”
