Nearly 15 Per Cent Rise in Canadian Women Using Fertility Drugs, New Manulife Canada Data Shows

While more women are seeking assistance, only 1 per cent of Canadian employers offer coverage for fertility clinic treatments

TORONTO, April 23, 2025 /CNW/ - To mark Canadian Fertility Awareness Week, Manulife Canada is releasing new data that shows the number of women using fertility drugs is rising. According to claims dataⁱ, fertility drug usage increased by 14.57 per cent in 2024 compared to the year prior.

Seeking treatment can be expensive and stressful. One round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) costs approximately $20,000ⁱⁱ  in Canada, and multiple rounds can be required. Employers frequently offer coverage for fertility drugs but not treatments or medical procedures. While one in six couples experience infertilityⁱⁱⁱ, fewer than 1 per cent of Canadian employers with a Manulife group benefits plans offer coverage for fertility clinic treatments. About 53 per cent of employers offer coverage for fertility drugs.

"The fertility journey often comes with significant emotional and financial challenges related to the treatments and procedures," said Jennifer Foubert, Head of Product for Group Benefits at Manulife Canada. "There is a fertility funding gap in Canada. Providing coverage for both drugs and treatment make a tremendous difference for women and their partners in terms of giving them the resources they need to effectively pursue their path to parenthood."  

Currently, there is no national plan covering IVF and other fertility services in Canada and coverage varies greatly across the country. Some provinces and territories cover certain fertility-related medical procedures while others do not^iv. With more women seeking treatment – and single-parents or same sex couples looking to grow their families, employers can play a meaningful role in helping members plan for their family. 

Manulife's recent 'Promoting women's health for a vibrant workforce' report provides recommendations for ways employers can help support employees dealing with infertility, including providing fertility benefits, education, and support. For employers who want to opt in for fertility benefits, Manulife recommends a minimum of $15,000 per lifetime per family, although there are employers who offer coverage of up to $50,000 per lifetime per family^v."Employers investing in their people can help attract and retain talent. Providing this inclusive benefit sends a message about your culture and the way you support your employees," said Ash Desai, Head of Group Benefits at Manulife Canada. "We've heard from our own employees what a difference it can make to know treatment is available without the massive expense."  

In 2023, Manulife expanded its family planning support to its own employees by significantly expanding its fertility benefits to cover treatments, medical procedures and drug costs without cycle or dollar limits, or any lifetime maximum.   

Group Benefits products and services are offered by Manulife. More information about fertility benefits is available on our Manulife Group Benefits website. 

About Manulife 

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. 

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. 

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Dominique Bomberry  

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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

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