National Infertility Awareness Week was founded in 1989 by Resolve: The National Infertility & Family Building Association. This organization focuses on empowering people navigating their fertility journey. They provide trusted information, community support, and grassroots’ advocacy to make family-building options accessible to everyone. During National Infertility Awareness Week, the American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA) is bringing awareness to infertility. AFSPA wants to shine light on this often-misunderstood health journey.  

All over the United States, families are trying to conceive, but not all can conceive the traditional way. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infertility affects approximately 11% of women and 9% of men of reproductive age in the U.S. Roughly 13% to 14% of women aged 15–49 have impaired fecundity (difficulty getting or staying pregnant). Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse (or after six months for women over the age of 35). However, regardless of age, it can affect anyone. 

Infertility is most often recognized when you are unable to conceive. Factors that influence infertility go beyond age, including personal lifestyle choices, medical history, and health issues in either partner. For women, common causes include ovulation disorders, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and irregular or absent periods. Infertility affects men as well, with low sperm count, poor motility, or hormonal imbalances being key factors. 

Due to a stigma around infertility, many people suffer in silence.  This week, we invite you to join the conversation to help normalize the experiences millions of people face worldwide. We encourage you to help foster a sense of community for you or someone you know who is navigating infertility. You do not have to go through this alone, and seeking a doctor or a community for assistance is not a weakness. 

Did you know that recent advances in reproductive medicine and insurance providers have created more pathways to parenthood than ever before? For example, Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART) and Artificial Insemination (AI) are offered for Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members. AI will be considered medically necessary for any member unable to conceive, regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation. For ART, the Plan will continue to require prior authorization and utilize Aetna’s medical necessity criteria to determine coverage. The Plan will cover AI as a core medical benefit; FSBP members will no longer need to meet a definition or obtain prior authorization. 

ART refers to ovulation induction cycle(s) while on an injectable medication to stimulate the ovaries, which is an attempt at ovulation induction while on injectable medication to stimulate the ovaries with or without artificial insemination. The types of ART include vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Cryopreservation of sperm and mature oocytes, and more.  

You’re eligible for ART if you meet our medical necessity criteria, which includes:  

• You or your partner has not gone through voluntary sterilization with or without reversal.  

• You have met the requirement for the number of months trying to conceive through egg and sperm contact. 

• Your unmedicated day three (3) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) level and testing of ovarian responsiveness meet the criteria outlined in Aetna’s Clinical Policy Bulletin (CPB) for Infertility (visit https://fsbphealth.com/ maternal-health-and-pregnancy/ to access the CPB – Infertility).  

• You have failed to conceive after a trial of ovulation induction:  

•  For women 37 years of age or younger, three cycles of ovulation induction (with or without intrauterine insemination); or  

• For women 38 years of age or older, no trial of ovulation induction is required  

• Natural or artificial insemination would not be expected to be effective, and ART would be expected to be the only effective treatment. 

Speaking with a healthcare provider can help determine the best approach for your individual needs. AFSPA is committed to helping members access the care and resources they need. We encourage members to read the plan’s brochure and refer to our Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) for more information. 

While infertility can be a difficult journey, it can include loneliness, resilience, strength, and hope. This National Infertility Awareness Week, let’s continue the conversation to raise awareness, support one another, and ensure that no one must navigate infertility alone. 

How AFSPA Can Help 

Maven 

Maven’s digital health platform offers 24/7 access to quality providers via unlimited video appointments, messaging, and classes. 

Your Maven membership includes support on adoption, surrogacy, fertility, maternity and postpartum care: 

• A personal care advocate who serves as a trusted guide to help you navigate the Maven platform and connect you with providers throughout your journey 

• Unlimited video chat and messaging with doctors, nurses, and coaches across 35+ specialties, including fertility, mental health, doulas, sleep coaches, pediatrics and more 

• Provider-led virtual classes and vetted articles tailored to your journey 

• Counseling and expert guidance via Maven Adoption and surrogacy coaches through different adoption and surrogacy pathways and key considerations in the process 

Maven also offers specialized support for men’s fertility health, including access to specialists who can answer your questions, provide personalized guidance, and help you understand your options. 

To learn more and join, visit mavenclinic.com/join/fsbp.  

Healthy Pregnancy Program 

Our Healthy Pregnancy Program provides tools and support for every stage. You can get trusted information and guidance about family planning, including infertility. 

The Healthy Pregnancy Program provides one-on-one support from a fertility advocate to help you with your infertility journey, fertility preservation, same-sex conception needs and more. They’ll also provide support and guidance during fertility treatment and if you become pregnant. To reach a fertility advocate, call 1-833-415-1709 (TTY: 711).