Davina Fankhauser's guest appearances

Davina Fankhauser

I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Fertility Cafe

Camille Hammond

Ellen Gustafson

Jennifer Nelson

Steven Miller

Jason Smith

Robin Hopkins

Andrea Syrtash

Glenn Proctor

Amy Klein

Pradeepa Narayanaswamy

Tyler Wilson

David Dodge

Trystan Reese

Joe Williams

Courtney Johnson

OwlTail

There are many costs associated with fertility treatment, pregnancy and eventually, the delivery of one (or more) children in the case of multiples. Whether it’s the in vitro process, your gestational surrogate’s care, or unexpected NICU costs, considering insurance coverage, what you have, what your surrogate has, and what you may need is highly recommended With only thirteen states requiring insurance companies to cover infertility treatment, securing fertility benefits through your health insurance company is a hot topic. So where do you start in advocating for fertility benefits and coverage for infertility treatments? And how often do insurance companies agree to add the coverage? In today’s episode, Eloise talks with Davina Fankhauser, a former fertility patient and the co-founder of the national non-profit Fertility Within Reach, which works to increase access to health benefits for fertility treatment and preservation.  How did Davina become an advocate in the world of infertility? Which 13 states mandate IVF and fertility health insurance coverage? If someone wants to approach their employer about adding insurance benefits for fertility treatments to the company insurance plan, what are the most important points to make? Many people make the assumption that if their insurance plan doesn’t include fertility benefits, there is nothing they can do... but that's not always the case. Learn how often insurance companies agree to cover infertility treatments. Are insurance companies becoming more agreeable as the rate of infertility grows and the need for non-traditional family-building methods such as egg donation and surrogacy becomes more commonplace? Davina walks us through the process of petitioning an insurance plan to cover fertility treatments. 

There are many costs associated with fertility treatment, pregnancy and eventually, the delivery of one (or more) children in the case of multiples. Whether it’s the in vitro process, your gestational surrogate’s care, or unexpected NICU costs, considering insurance coverage, what you have, what your surrogate has, and what you may need is highly recommended With only thirteen states requiring insurance companies to cover infertility treatment, securing fertility benefits through your health insurance company is a hot topic. So where do you start in advocating for fertility benefits and coverage for infertility treatments? And how often do insurance companies agree to add the coverage? In today’s episode, Eloise talks with Davina Fankhauser, a former fertility patient and the co-founder of the national non-profit Fertility Within Reach, which works to increase access to health benefits for fertility treatment and preservation. <ul> <li>How did Davina become an advocate in the world of infertility?</li> <li>Which 13 states mandate IVF and fertility health insurance coverage?</li> <li>If someone wants to approach their employer about adding insurance benefits for fertility treatments to the company insurance plan, what are the most important points to make?</li> <li>Many people make the assumption that if their insurance plan doesn’t include fertility benefits, there is nothing they can do... but that's not always the case. Learn how often insurance companies agree to cover infertility treatments.</li> <li>Are insurance companies becoming more agreeable as the rate of infertility grows and the need for non-traditional family-building methods such as egg donation and surrogacy becomes more commonplace?</li> <li>Davina walks us through the process of petitioning an insurance plan to cover fertility treatments.</li> </ul>

Ep. 16 | Gaining Fertility Benefits and Insurance with Advocate Davina Fankhauser

Davina Fankhauser is president and cofounder for Fertility Within Reach. She is an advocate for fertility benefits for those struggling with infertility. In 2010, Davina successfully lobbied for improved fertility legislation in the state of Massachusetts. Fertility Within Reach was founded soon after to share what was learned from that experience, to teach others how to advocate for themselves and to educate policymakers on the benefits of providing insurance coverage to treat the disease of infertility.Listen to Davina as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:•	Davina’s background and struggles with infertility •	A transfer of 7 embryos!•	Her struggles with paying for fertility treatments without health insurance•	Her high-risk pregnancy •	Explaining that she would not have taken the risks that she took had she had insurance coverage•	Her first time lobbying to update the definition of infertility •	The creation of the policy makers guide •	Her advice to other advocates and plans moving forwardWant to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Davina and Fertility Within Reach: https://www.fertilitywithinreach.org

Davina Fankhauser is president and cofounder for Fertility Within Reach. She is an advocate for fertility benefits for those struggling with infertility. In 2010, Davina successfully lobbied for improved fertility legislation in the state of Massachusetts. Fertility Within Reach was founded soon after to share what was learned from that experience, to teach others how to advocate for themselves and to educate policymakers on the benefits of providing insurance coverage to treat the disease of infertility. Listen to Davina as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: •	Davina’s background and struggles with infertility •	A transfer of 7 embryos! •	Her struggles with paying for fertility treatments without health insurance •	Her high-risk pregnancy •	Explaining that she would not have taken the risks that she took had she had insurance coverage •	Her first time lobbying to update the definition of infertility •	The creation of the policy makers guide •	Her advice to other advocates and plans moving forward Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: <a href="https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/</a> Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: <a href="http://brightfuturesfamilies.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">brightfuturesfamilies.com</a> Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: <a href="http://trachmanlawcenter.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://trachmanlawcenter.com/</a> Learn more about Davina and Fertility Within Reach: <a href="https://www.fertilitywithinreach.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.fertilitywithinreach.org</a>

Episode 59: Want Change? Make It Happen! - Davina Fankhauser