Facebook and Apple are now paying employees to freeze their eggs

Facebook and Apple are now paying the cost for their female employees to freeze their eggs.

Facebook was the first to cover the cost for oocyte cryopreservation, or egg freezing, a procedure that is not typically covered for non-medical reasons. Apple is expected to begin their coverage in January 2015.

The companies will give employees up to $20,000 to help them pay for the cost. Facebook will offer the coverage under its surrogacy benefit, and Apple under its fertility benefit. It costs $10,000 for every round of eggs that are frozen. Women then pay an additional $500 annually for storage. Women are recommended to freeze at least 20 eggs, which means at least two rounds.