Starting a Family
Congratulations! Welcoming a new child into your life is a wonderful experience. As with other family status changes, you have 31 days from the date of your child's birth/adoption to make changes to your benefits coverage.
Benefits Actions
Here are some benefits-related actions you may want to think about if you are having a baby or adopting a child:
Infertility
If you are trying to start a family and need treatment, Emory offers an expanded infertility benefit. Covered infertility benefits include advanced reproductive therapy (ART) at Aetna Institutes of Excellence only, including the Emory Reproductive Center. All infertility benefits are covered up to a combined lifetime maximum of $25,000.
Adoption Reimbursement
If you are adopting a child, Emory University provides an Adoption Reimbursement Plan to eligible employees. This plan will reimburse you for qualified adoption expenses up to $5,000 per finalized adoption.
Leave Benefits
Emory offers generous time off for new parents. See leave benefits
Short Term Disability
If you have Short Term Disability (STD) coverage, you can use it for maternity leave. It is important to consider the waiting period when enrolling in STD for pregnancy.
Medical, Dental & Vision
You may enroll your new baby or adopted child in your medical, dental and/or vision plan. You may also change medical plans at this time.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Health Care FSA
You may enroll in or increase your contributions to your health care FSA, which lets you save pre-tax dollars each calendar year for qualified health care expenses.
Dependent Day Care FSA
You may enroll in or change your contributions to your dependent care FSA account, which allows you to make pre-tax contributions each calendar year for child care expenses.
Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
You may make changes to your life insurance coverage such as enrolling your child in child life insurance, adding your child as a beneficiary, or changing/enrolling in spouse life insurance. You can also add a child to your Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
Beneficiaries
You may wish to make changes to your beneficiaries for your life insurance or retirement savings plans. Note: you can update your beneficiary at any time throughout the year, not just during the 31 day window.
Finding Child Care
Emory Childcare Network
The Emory Childcare Network provides Emory parents discounts and priority admissions at licensed child care centers throughout Metro Atlanta.
Emergency Back-up Care
The Back-Up Care Advantage Program is offered through a partnership with Bright Horizons to provide emergency back-up care for times when your regular caregiving arrangements fall through. Bright Horizons will arrange for temporary care, either at a high-quality child care center or with a fully screened and credentialed in-home caregiver.
Lactation Resources
To provide an accommodating and supportive environment for nursing mothers, Emory offers reasonable break times as well as safe, comfortable spaces to express milk. There are also many resources, benefits and programs available to expectant and nursing mothers. See Lactation Resources.
Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)
Having a baby can be an emotional time. If you need help, you can contact FSAP for family counseling.
Saving for College
You can save for your child’s college expenses with a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged savings plan. Learn more about 529 plans.
Other Resources
Children and Family Resources
Emory's Work Life Resource Center has many other resources and benefits for Children and Families.