Adoption Assistance Program

You must submit any claim for reimbursement within 180 days of finalizing an adoption for which you have incurred an eligible expense.

Adoption reimbursement is available for the adoption expenses associated with the legal finalized adoption of any child (whether adopted domestically or internationally) under age 18 at the time the expense is incurred. This includes a child of your registered domestic partner if you live in a state that allows a same-sex second parent or co-parent to adopt his or her partner's child, but it does not include the child of your spouse (i.e., a stepchild). You’ll be required to provide documentation of the finalized adoption.

Eligible Expenses

• Agency and placement fees
• Application fees
• Consultant/specialist fees
• Costs incurred by a registered domestic partner or same-sex spouse to adopt their partner's child(ren)
• Required education directly related to the adoption
• Eligible expenses paid by a registered domestic partner living in a state that allows same-sex second-parent or co-parent adoption of their partner's child
• Fees associated with the adoption of child(ren) through a legally recognized surrogate arrangement
• Home Studies, immigration, immunization, and translation fees
• Legal fees and court costs
• Medical assessments of adopted child(ren)
• Parent, child, and family adoption counseling
• Temporary foster care expenses
• Transportation, meals, and lodging for the adoptive parent(s) and/or adopted child(ren) only
• Visa and passport fees for adopted child(ren)
   

Ineligible Expenses

• Adoptions that aren't legally recognized
• Any expenses that violate state or federal law
• Costs for personal items, food, and clothing for the parents or child(ren)
• Costs paid using funds received from a federal, state, or local program
• Costs to adopt a stepchild
• Expenses allowed as a credit or deduction under any other federal income tax rule
• Expenses already paid for or reimbursed by another employer, benefit, program, or party
• Expenses for adopting an individual age 18 or older, unless they are physically or mentally incapable of self-care
• Expenses not paid in U.S. dollars
• Fees for a birth mother's maternity care
• Voluntary donations or contributions

1. Contact your Progyny Care Advocate (PCA) at 844-866-9845 and request assistance with the Adoption Reimbursement application.
    
2. Your Progyny Care Advocate will review the reimbursement policy with you, noting eligible expenses may be submitted for reimbursement only upon completion of the adoption process.
    
3. Once you are ready to request a reimbursement, submit your expense(s) for reimbursement, using the Progyny Attestation Form.
    
4. Progyny will review expenses and submit a report to Columbia University's dedicated point-of-contact, including total reimbursable amounts, reimbursement categories, and the member's Employee ID (or similar identifier).
    
5. Columbia University issues reimbursement to you within the next 2 to 3 payroll periods.

If a portion of, or your entire claim, is denied, you will be notified of this determination in writing within six (6) months of receipt of your claim by the Benefits Department. The determination of the AVP of Benefits and Compensation with respect to your claim shall be binding and final. If you wish to bring a civil court action challenging the denial of a portion of, or your entire claim, you must file any such action within one (1) year following the issuance of the denial notice. In addition, any such action must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction with venue in New York County.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the University reserves the right in its sole discretion to change or terminate, in whole or in part, the Program at any time.