For employers
Most health plans must cover her permanent contraception at no cost. His isn't required. Employers can close that gap so families choose what's right for them without feeling the financial pressure.
Take the Employer PledgeWhy it matters
Under federal ACA requirements, most plans must cover women's contraceptive methods, including female sterilization, without cost sharing. Federal rules don't require plans to cover vasectomy. So depending on the plan, a man may face out-of-pocket costs even when his partner could receive permanent contraception at no cost.
Her permanent contraception
His permanent contraception
Affordable Care Act preventive services rules · KFF
The Employer Pledge · We Support.
“We work to make employees and their families economically indifferent between male and female permanent contraception.”
It's not about promoting vasectomy. It's about making sure a family's decision isn't shaped by which partner's procedure gets mandated coverage.
Families decide based on what's right for them, not on which partner's procedure happens to be covered.
Supporting both partners' options shows employees you care about the whole family, not just the policyholder.
Start with a plan review and a conversation at renewal. No new vendor or program required.
Two ways to take part
Level 1
Commit to review and advocate for equitable coverage: review how your plan covers vasectomy vs. female sterilization, ask your broker or carrier about closing the gap at renewal, and share Why Not Him resources with employees.
Level 2
Close the gap directly by reimbursing employees' out-of-pocket vasectomy costs when your health plan doesn't.
Help your families make this decision on equal footing.
Take the Employer Pledge