BREAKING: Microsoft has announced it will pay travel costs for its employees seeking an abortion.

[Ms. Toad]

45. It will almost certainly be handled the same way all other medical expenses are -

by a third party bound by HIPAA not to disclose medical information.

This is not a problem unique to abortion - employers already have mechanisms in place to provide health care to employees without requiring disclosure of sensitive medical information. Even when the plan is self-funded. Even when federal regulations require documentation of the precise nature of the need to disburse funds (FSA, HSA, etc. funds).

Heck, my small employer (fewer than 15 people) paid for all medical expenses not covered by insurance. Even in that scenario, all out-of-pocket expenses were submitted to a third party which reviewed them to determine they were covered, and then reimbursed me and sent the bill to the employer.

I'm sure this will be handled the same way (as a pass-through managed by a third party, or as part of health care coverage, also managed by a third party).

And anyone who doesn't trust a third party which is bound by law not to disclose to their employer is free to reject the benefit and pay out of pocket.