The University is committed to supporting faculty, staff, and postdoctoral researchers and fellows through family planning. Penn has partnered with Carrot Fertility to bring you comprehensive fertility health and family-forming benefits that support wherever you are on your journey. This benefit provides you with exclusive resources designed to make fertility care more accessible and affordable. 

This benefit remains at a flat $30,000 lifetime maximum that can be used for a variety of fertility treatments. If you are a couple who both work at the University of Pennsylvania, the lifetime combined benefit is $30,000 for fertility, infertility, and gestational surrogacy.

Please note: Prescription drugs are not covered under the Carrot plan even if they are related to your fertility treatments. All prescriptions should be submitted to CVS/caremark. Information on prescription benefits through CVS/caremark can be found on the Prescription Drug Coverage webpage.

Fertility Care Expenses

Fertility care expenses fall into two categories, Qualified Medical Expenses (QMEs) and Non-Qualified Medical Expenses (Non-QMEs). The benefit is taxable if it is deemed a Non-Qualified Medical Expense. Members should work with their Carrot team to determine what expenses are QME or Non-QME.

QMEs 

Qualified Medical Expenses are eligible fertility care expenses that are paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body of the participant, the participant’s spouse or a dependent. QMEs include expenses related to the collection of egg(s) or sperm from a participant, a participant’s spouse or a dependent. Storage of acquired egg or sperm donations are QMEs for up to one year.

Non-QMEs

Non-Qualified Medical Expenses are eligible donor assistance expenses related to fertility care where the body being affected is not the body of the participant or the participant’s spouse or dependent. Non-QME expenses include expenses involving the body of a third party, such as third-party egg or sperm donations, surrogacy, or gestational carriers. 

Taxation of Carrot Benefit

Per IRS guidelines, a fertility benefit is subject to taxes if it is deemed non-QME. Carrot makes the determination of taxability based on claim reimbursement in accordance with IRS guidelines. If the service and/or procedure you have are deemed taxable (subject to applicable payroll taxes), Carrot will notify Penn of the amount of the benefit used. Payroll will process that information at the end of the calendar year on your W-2 for you to report when you file your taxes, if applicable. It is important for you to remit to Carrot any necessary documentation to enable review of taxability of services before the University processes the December payroll. Your privacy is strictly protected. Penn only receives aggregated data and is never made aware of any results, specific services or procedures rendered.   

Carrot also provides the administration of the University’s Adoption benefit. For details about Penn’s adoption policy, visit the Adoption Assistance webpage.  

Using the Benefit

Accessing your fertility benefit is quick and easy. Visit get-carrot.com/signup to register and create an account.

Here's what you can expect as you explore the resources available to you.

Personalized Expert Guidance

  • A free, personalized step-by-step guide created with your unique needs in mind to support you through your family-forming journey
  • Unlimited, free virtual visits with fertility health and family-forming experts, including reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, adoption experts, and mental health professionals. They will help you navigate your options, costs, and answer your questions.
  • A library of expert-produced educational resources, including articles, how-to videos, and more
  • At-home support through Carrot’s complete telehealth platform, including a fertility health and wellness test, an ovulation tracking bracelet, and more

Provider Network Discounts and Access to Funds

  • Find a trusted provider with Carrot’s vetted network of 3,600+ clinics and 2,500+ attorneys and agencies around the world.
  • Receive exclusive discounts and expedited appointments at top clinics and agencies.
  • Access your Carrot Card, a flexible, pre-funded card to use for eligible care and services without having to pay out-of-pocket. You must submit your receipts directly to Carrot to have the services verified.
  • Access an easy platform to use your employer-sponsored funds.
  • Get support from live translators during benefit chats in over 120 countries.

Support With:

  • Understanding fertility health
  • Preservation (egg, sperm, embryo)
  • Assisted reproduction such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Adoption
  • Gestational carrier support (commonly referred to as surrogacy)
  • Donor assistance
  • Pregnancy 

For more information about Carrot Fertility, visit get-carrot.com.