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Employers are becoming more aggressive regarding pregnancy and well baby programs for their workers and dependents, aware that the cost of a troubled pregnancy and a newborn with problems can soar quickly. "One very premature birth can cost millions of dollars," says Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit organization representing large employers. And beyond the direct medical costs of pregnancy, employers contend with issues of absenteeism, short- and long-term disability and retention problems.
Special attention is focused on workers who use infertility treatments. More employers are offering these benefits to burnish their image as a family-friendly place to work. But these treatments are quite expensive and can result in complications, especially those associated with multiple births. The more fetuses involved, the higher the risk for complications. And more than 60% of multibirths result in premature births.
Recommendations to employers that offer infertility benefits include setting an age limit, putting an annual or lifetime cap on treatment costs and mandating that the fertility center inject the minimum number of eggs to achieve a single birth. Also a good idea: Providing education and support services to women and their spouses, such as health coaching and expert consultations.
AOL is one company that's been successful in controlling well baby program costs. A care manager guides the woman throughout the pregnancy, screening her for high-risk factors and providing education classes and materials and referrals to fertility centers. After the birth, the case manager follows up with screening for postpartum depression and lactation support. Participants earn points for enrolling in such programs. These points are used for gift cards that they can use at baby stores. AOL's results include shorter hospital stays, fewer sick baby visits to the pediatrician and fewer pregnancy-related short-term disability claims.
A free guide is available from the National Business Group on Health designed to help employers improve the health of pregnant women, children and hold down costs. The toolkit includes data on the cost of maternal and child health care services, guidance on benefit design, employer case studies and education materials for employees.
To download, go to www.businessgrouphealth.org/healthtopics/maternalchild/investing
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