Why this comparison matters
Employer-sponsored fertility benefits have exploded over the past five years. More than 40% of large employers now offer some form of fertility benefit, according to RESOLVE's employer coverage data, most commonly through one of three platforms: Progyny, Carrot, or Maven. They're often marketed to employees as comprehensive IVF coverage, but the actual details vary significantly — and which platform your employer uses affects how much you'll pay out of pocket, which clinics you can access, and how much support you'll get through treatment.
This isn't a ranking of which platform is "best" in the abstract — that depends on your specific plan, your employer, and your situation. What you need to understand is what each platform's model actually does and what questions to ask before you assume your benefit covers what you think it does.
Progyny: the network-based clinical model
Progyny is the oldest and largest of the three platforms, with more than 900 clinic locations in its network. (You can verify network coverage at Progyny's clinic finder.) Unlike Carrot and Maven, Progyny negotiates directly with clinics and has a clinical team that monitors member cycles. Their model is built around "smart cycles" — bundled units of coverage that include a defined set of services (medications are usually included or separately supported) rather than a simple dollar cap.
What Progyny typically covers well:
- IVF, FET (frozen embryo transfer), IUI, and related procedures
- Medications — Progyny Rx covers fertility medications under the pharmacy benefit, which is a significant deal since stimulation drugs alone cost $3,000–$7,000
- PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) — often included in smart cycle bundles
- Dedicated care advocates who help members navigate the process
Watch out for:
- Network limitations — you must use a Progyny network clinic. If your preferred clinic isn't in the network, you're out of luck (or paying out of pocket). Network coverage is strong in major metro areas but thinner in rural areas and smaller cities.
- Smart cycle limits — employer plans typically include 2–3 smart cycles. Once those are exhausted, you're paying out of pocket even if the cycle didn't result in a baby.
- Diagnostic testing before you're in "active treatment" may not be covered — confirm with Progyny customer service exactly what's included before your first appointment.
Carrot: the reimbursement model
Carrot works differently. Rather than a network, Carrot gives members a dollar-denominated "Carrot Card" (a prepaid card) and lets them use it at almost any fertility clinic, OB, or pharmacy. The benefit is flexibility — you can go to any clinic you want. The complication is the reimbursement model, which requires some upfront awareness.
What Carrot typically covers well:
- Any licensed fertility clinic — you're not restricted to a network, which matters enormously if you've already chosen a clinic or live somewhere with limited options
- Broad definition of fertility treatments: IVF, IUI, egg freezing, sperm freezing, adoption assistance (in some employer plans), surrogacy support
- Mental health support specifically around fertility (covered in many Carrot plans)
- International fertility treatment (relevant for employees working abroad)
Watch out for:
- Dollar cap — Carrot benefits are typically a flat dollar amount ($5,000–$25,000 depending on employer). This sounds like a lot but doesn't go as far as you might think — one IVF cycle plus medications can exceed $20,000. Compare this to Progyny's bundled smart cycles, which often have higher effective dollar value because medications are included separately.
- Reimbursement timing — you pay the clinic first, then submit for reimbursement through the Carrot Card. For large upfront costs, this can be a cash flow issue.
- Not all expenses are covered — Carrot has an eligible expense list. Certain add-ons or experimental treatments may not qualify.
- No negotiated clinic rates — Carrot doesn't negotiate pricing with clinics the way Progyny does, so you're paying whatever the clinic charges.
Maven: the care management model
Maven is structured differently from both Progyny and Carrot. It's primarily a digital health platform that provides care coordination, virtual provider access, and support resources — and it may or may not include direct financial coverage for fertility treatments, depending on what your employer has purchased.
What Maven typically covers well:
- Virtual appointments with OBs, fertility specialists, mental health providers, and nutritionists — often included in the Maven membership
- Care navigation and coordinated support throughout the fertility journey
- Postpartum support (Maven's coverage extends through pregnancy and into early parenthood, which is a differentiator)
- Employer plans that include Maven may combine it with a traditional fertility benefit (either Carrot-style reimbursement or separate coverage) — Maven is often the support layer, not the financial coverage layer
Watch out for:
- Maven alone often doesn't pay for IVF. It provides the care support, not the financial coverage. If your employer offers "Maven fertility benefits," ask specifically whether IVF is financially covered and how — Maven without a financial benefit is valuable support but not a treatment funding mechanism.
- Virtual provider access isn't the same as in-person specialist care — for actual treatment, you still need a physical fertility clinic.
Direct comparison: which is better for IVF?
If your employer offers a genuine IVF benefit (not just support resources), Progyny generally provides the highest effective coverage for IVF specifically, because medications are often included in the smart cycle model and the bundled structure prevents partial-cycle scenarios where you use up your dollar cap on diagnostics before you ever start a retrieval.
Carrot wins on flexibility — if you have strong feelings about a specific clinic, or you live somewhere Progyny doesn't have network coverage, Carrot's any-clinic model is a major advantage. It also wins for people whose needs are broader than IVF (adoption, surrogacy, egg freezing for health reasons).
Maven's value is as a support layer, not a financial coverage layer. If your plan includes Maven plus a Carrot or Progyny benefit, that's strong. Maven alone isn't a path to paying for IVF.
Questions to ask HR before you start treatment
Don't assume — ask your HR or benefits team these questions before your first fertility appointment:
- Does this benefit cover IVF specifically, or just diagnostics and less intensive treatments?
- Does it cover fertility medications? (This is a $3,000–$7,000 question.)
- What is the cycle limit, and how is a "cycle" defined — by retrieval, by transfer, or by smart cycle bundle?
- Is the clinic I want to use in-network?
- Does the benefit have a lifetime dollar cap, and does it reset if I change jobs?
- Are there diagnostic requirements before treatment is approved (like a waiting period or mandatory IUI attempts first)?
What if my employer doesn't offer any fertility benefit?
You're not alone — most employers still don't. Your options at this point are: state-mandated insurance coverage (if you live in a mandate state — our state-by-state insurance guide has what's covered), out-of-pocket treatment with or without clinic financing programs, shared-risk IVF programs, or exploring whether your employer might be open to adding a benefit.
Some platforms, including Carrot, actively market to employers who don't yet have fertility benefits. If you're in a position to make a business case to HR, the data on retention and recruitment impact of fertility benefits is compelling — particularly for tech, finance, and professional services companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Progyny cover IVF medications?
Usually yes — Progyny Rx covers fertility medications under the pharmacy benefit, which is separate from but complementary to the smart cycle coverage. This is one of Progyny's biggest practical advantages over dollar-cap models, since stimulation medications alone cost $3,000–$7,000 per cycle. Confirm with your specific employer plan, as benefit configurations vary.
Can I use Carrot at any fertility clinic?
Yes, Carrot works at essentially any licensed fertility clinic in the U.S. (and many internationally). This is its main advantage over Progyny's network model. You pay the clinic, then submit receipts for reimbursement through your Carrot Card up to your employer's dollar limit.
How many IVF cycles does Progyny cover?
Progyny benefits are denominated in "smart cycles," not calendar cycles. The number varies by employer plan — commonly 2–3 smart cycles, though some employers offer more. One smart cycle typically covers one egg retrieval plus associated procedures. Check your specific plan documents rather than relying on general Progyny descriptions, since employers configure benefits differently.
Is fertility treatment covered if I use Maven?
Maven itself provides care coordination and virtual provider access, not direct financial coverage for IVF. Some employers combine Maven with a financial fertility benefit (Carrot-style reimbursement or direct IVF coverage), in which case IVF may be financially supported. Maven alone covers support services but not the cost of treatment. Ask HR specifically what financial coverage is included alongside Maven.