Anne Webster: Welcome back to Your Employee podcast, where you can hear and learn from other Costco employees who have overcome or managed their own challenges with the help of Costco benefits. Today we’re talking with Costco employee, Deanna Jenkins. Hi Deanna.

Deanna Jenkins: Hi.

Anne Webster: Glad you could join us. So, how long have you been with Costco?

Deanna Jenkins: I’ve been with Costco since 2015.

Anne Webster: And which location do you work at?

Deanna Jenkins: I work at Eugene, Oregon, number 17.

Anne Webster: What do you do there?

Deanna Jenkins: I am a front-end supervisor. I just finished my produce rotation and I’m back to the front end.

Anne Webster: And how about when you’re outside of work, what do you like to do?

Deanna Jenkins: I am currently focusing on juggling the work and mom life, but on my free time I do like to take some dance classes for that stress reliever.

Anne Webster: And you are a new mom. Can you tell me a little bit about your story getting there and how your benefits helped?

Deanna Jenkins: Absolutely. So, my husband and I decided back in 2017 that we were going to have to look into infertility treatments. We’ve been trying for years and years prior to that. And so, we went to our infertility doctor. I assumed because my woman’s care was connected to the infertility office that my insurance would cover, but at the time they didn’t. I had my 401k with Costco, so we’re like, “Okay, worst case scenario, we’ll pull some money out, we’ll pay it back.” So, we started with IUI.

Anne Webster: And for our listeners, unfamiliar with infertility treatments, IUI is intrauterine insemination. IVF is in vitro fertilization. And IVF involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and then transferring the fertilized eggs back into the uterus.

Deanna Jenkins: Yes. So, we started out with four rounds of IUI, and then when nothing came from that, we decided to look into IVF. We paid the first time with my 401k and we paid the second time with my 401k. But it was worth it at the time for us. And then after my first time around, it didn’t work, and second time as well, we decided to take a break. IVF does take a mental toll and physical toll on you, so I was ready for that break.

Anne Webster: And then there was the financial toll as well.

Deanna Jenkins: Absolutely. And then the beginning of the year of that following year, my payroll clerk contacted me on my day off and said that Costco now covers IVF. I was super excited, didn’t believe her at first. So, I contacted Aetna immediately, and this very sweet woman on the other end said, “Yes, there is coverage.” So, I called my doctor’s office. And from then on Aetna and my doctor’s office were in complete contact with each other, and I didn’t have to step in at all. They had clear communication, which was a huge stress reliever for me going through the IVF treatments.

Anne Webster: I’m so glad the infertility benefits showed up right when you needed it and that it went so smoothly. So you got the third IVF.

Deanna Jenkins: And we were pregnant. And it was happy times, happy times. The third time’s a charm in my case. And during my pregnancy, I didn’t realize but Aetna has this huge resource for pregnant women. I used some of it. I used, for example, the free breast pump. That was extremely helpful, because I didn’t realize how expensive they were. So, that was great. And then the maternity program called me checking in basically, making sure my mental state was okay. They offered list of what first time moms may need. There’s resources for what you’re trying to learn how to breastfeed, all this stuff that I have told several of my fellow employees that have gotten pregnant after me, look into it, take advantage. It’s honestly a great, great program, especially as a first-time mom that doesn’t know what to expect and what’s going on.

Anne Webster: Definitely. And starting this year in 2025, you can earn up to $400 to use towards your deductible and co-insurance if you engage in the Aetna maternity program during and after your pregnancy. And it’s no cost to enroll. It’s just a great resource. After you delivered, did you use any other resources from Costco?

Deanna Jenkins: I dealt with postpartum depression. With doing IVF, the whole process itself is hard on your mental health and your physical health for you and your partner. And then the pregnancy part, hard on you physically and mentally. My husband and I decided that I needed some extra help and I contacted Aetna. They send me into the right direction to find somebody that was in my area, in network, and someone I can speak to. And that was a huge game changer.

Anne Webster: It’s so great that you’re getting the support you need. And how old is your daughter now?

Deanna Jenkins: My daughter is now one-year old.

Anne Webster: And what’s the cutest thing she’s doing lately?

Deanna Jenkins: She is currently trying to act like a rooster. I have two roosters and they just like to go back and forth, back and forth, crowing at each other.

Anne Webster: That must be something to see. Well, Deanna, thank you so much for spending time with us and sharing your story. Until next time, stay well, be safe, and remember, we’re in this together.