Note: The information in this article applies to enrollees of The Empire Plan.
Diverse Family-Building Support
Because every family-building journey is personal, The Empire Plan offers thoughtful, tailored support— whether you’re planning to conceive, experiencing fertility challenges, already pregnant, adopting a child, using a surrogate or living without children.
Adoption and Surrogacy Support
If your family journey involves adoption or surrogacy, the resources, tools and information on your Building Healthy Family profile will be tailored to your needs.
- When you (the enrollee or dependent) are the surrogate, then your maternity care–including prenatal care, obstetrical ultrasounds and covered services—is covered under The Empire Plan.
- If a surrogate is acting on your behalf, the costs are not covered under The Empire Plan, whether in-network or out-of-network. This includes any charges for services provided to a donor and any donor compensation.
Consulting a legal and financial advisor is recommended if you are exploring these options. Direct legal, medical and agency costs relating to adoption or surrogacy are not covered.
To add an adopted child to your Family coverage, you must contact your HBA or BSC, complete a NYSHIP Health Insurance Transaction Form and submit the required documentation.
LGBTQ+ and Inclusive Family-Building Support
The Empire Plan supports all families by ensuring every enrollee has a fair and inclusive path to family building. Coverage for infertility, pregnancy and postpartum care is available to every enrollee— including LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, with no barriers based on sexual orientation, gender identity or family structure. This means:
- Access to infertility benefits, including Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF
- Coverage for reciprocal IVF for same-sex couples
- Support for pregnancy care
- Commitment to inclusion across all family- building benefits
