CT PAID LEAVE PROVIDES NEEDED BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES SEEKING FERTILITY TREATMENT
National Infertility Awareness Week is April 21–27th
Hartford CT — In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week, the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority reminded Connecticut residents that they may be eligible for paid leave benefits when seeking treatment for infertility if caused by a serious health condition. As defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), infertility is a disease characterized by the inability to achieve a successful pregnancy based on a patient’s medical, sexual, and reproductive history, age, physical findings, diagnostic testing, or any combination of those factors. Under CT Paid Leave, a serious health condition is an illness, injury or impairment or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care or continuing treatment.
“For families seeking fertility treatment as a result of a serious health condition, like endometriosis for example, access to paid leave can make all the difference,” said CT Paid Leave CEO Erin Choquette. “Benefits can be received in a block of time or intermittently, to help offset income losses when attending doctors’ visits or treatments. In Connecticut, the definition of family includes a child, spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild or an individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the worker shows to be the equivalent of those family relationships regardless of biological or legal relationship.”
Anyone can be challenged to have a family. According to the World Health Organization, one in six people of reproductive age are impacted by infertility globally. Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained. A couple ages 29–33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20–25% chance of conceiving in any given month. After six months of trying, 60% of couples will conceive without medical assistance. Access to paid leave removes one of the major barriers that stand in the way of many Americans seeking medical help to build a family of their own.
“Infertility is a DISEASE that impacts one in six people (which does count the LGBTQ+ community that need donor sperm or egg),” said Dr. Maya Barsky, MD, MSCI, FACOG and Assistant Professor Obstetrics & Gynecology at University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s Center for Advanced Reproductive Services. “Fertility treatments make it possible for so many to become parents that would otherwise not have the incredible opportunity to. When there is so much misinformation, National Infertility Awareness Week allows us to concentrate on awareness, education, research, activism, and empathy to continue to move this field forward.”
Approximately 85–90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. Fewer than 3% need advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Approximately 44% of women with infertility have sought medical assistance. Of those who seek medical intervention, approximately 65% give birth.
To apply for CT Paid Leave benefits online, workers will first need to create an account with CT.gov. This will provide the applicant with a single identity and will take approximately 10 minutes. The applicant can then submit their claim online. Claims may also be filed by phone by calling (877) 499–8606. Hours of operation for a live representative are 8 AM to 8 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
For more information about CT Paid Leave and how to apply, please visit www.ctpaidleave.org.
