If you’ve started looking into surrogacy, you’ve no doubt landed on an agency website. Agencies are a fundamental resource for many as they learn about surrogacy and go through the steps. But before you sign up with an agency, there are some things you should consider.
What is a surrogacy agency?
A surrogacy agency is a business that helps people build their families. Their clients are surrogates and intended parents, and agencies guide both through the journey to hopefully welcome a new baby. Surrogacy agencies match intended parents and surrogates, screen potential surrogates to ensure they’re good candidates, offer support and guidance throughout pregnancy, and mediate during sticky situations. Surrogacy agencies can provide resources to simplify your journey, but not all agencies work in the same way.
How do all-inclusive agencies work?
All-inclusive programs work by covering surrogacy-related expenses within one fixed price instead of paying for items piecemeal. Are you a food person? It’s kind of like dining at an all-you-can-eat buffet versus ordering off of an à la carte menu. Both options can satisfy your hunger, but the culinary experiences are different.
Is everything really included with “all-inclusive” agencies?
With names like “All-inclusive” or “All-In” you might expect that these programs cover every little expense related to surrogacy, but they don’t. Just like an “all-inclusive” vacation resort, there will be some things not included in the package that will come at an additional cost.
The specifics of what All-inclusive surrogacy agencies include will vary from company to company but generally include
- all surrogate fees (base compensation and incidentals such as maternity clothes allowance, c-section fee, etc.)
- multiple embryo transfers
- attorney/ legal fees
- agency journey coordination
- surrogate prescreening (including psychological exam, criminal background check)
- “bed rest” (lost wages, child care, housekeeping)
- rematching with surrogate
- escrow or trust account
- surrogate travel
- life insurance
- short term disability
What is not covered by an all-inclusive agency?
Fixed-price programs don’t cover all expenses. When looking at the program options, pay special attention to the following expenses as they may not be covered or covered fully:
Additional surrogate compensation – yes, all-inclusive agencies cover base compensation but some only cover up to a certain amount. The compensation can increase, like if your prospective surrogate asks for more, if she is an experienced carrier, or even if she lives in certain states. You would subsidize the additional amount.
IVF/REI expenses – All-inclusive agencies are separate from your IVF clinic, so the price packages do not include the common fertility center costs. All surrogacy journeys require IVF to make embryos, a procedure to transfer your embryos, speciality medications, as well as labs and ultrasounds to monitor the process. The fertility clinic costs will add up quickly.
Unlimited embryo transfers– There may be a cap on the number of times you can try to transfer an embryo to a surrogate before paying an additional fee. This cap may be a specific number, such as 4 or it may be limited to the number that you had already made at the time of signing your legal contract
Medical/pregnancy/delivery expenses– Similar to IVF/REI expenses any health care costs not paid for with insurance are your responsibility. This includes denied medical claims and restrictions on using a surrogate.
Health insurance– all-inclusive agencies assist with finding suitable insurance plans, but you will be responsible for paying the actual monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance etc.
Rematching– There may be a limit on the number of surrogate rematches or the circumstances when rematching is covered, such as only for medical necessity or if the surrogate drops out.
Twin pregnancy– there may be a hefty surcharge for twin pregnancies that is paid to the agency. The additional charge does not include the extra fees to the surrogate for carrying twins, risks of complications or the increased medical expenses.
Pumped breastmilk– If you would like your surrogate to supply breastmilk for your baby this is an additional cost for pumping supplies, for shipping frozen milk, and for surrogate compensation.
Newborn healthcare – Medical care for a newborn can be costly if there is a complication or NICU stay. If your baby isn’t covered under your insurance plan, you will need to purchase one.
International – there may be additional charges if you’re an intended parent from outside of the United States. This would include any additional legal expenses for parentage and citizenship of your child at home, as well as health insurance for your newborn.
When is it a good idea to use an all-inclusive surrogacy agency?
Using an all-inclusive agency gives you a predictable cost for your journey. One of the biggest budget busters for surrogacy is having to repeat a step – match with a new surrogate or do another embryo transfer – because the cost climbs. With a fixed price, there is a cap on your spending, and it is less likely that you would be one of the horror stories of prices getting out of control.
An all-inclusive agency may also have more skin in the game. The logistics of searching for, screening, and coordinating new matches and transfers take a lot of time and effort. It is in the agency’s best interest that your very first match is a stellar surrogate who meshes well with you, is likely to pass screening, and will stay in the program.
When should you be cautious about all-inclusive?
With an all-inclusive program, you generally pay more for your journey than if you made à la carte payments. Similar to IVF shared risk programs, all-inclusive surrogacy agencies are banking on your journey expenses being less than the actual per-item cost so that they can remain profitable. The benefit to you is convenience and peace of mind.
Keep in mind that all-inclusive programs have you pay upfront to cover a variety of potential circumstances that may not happen. For example, if your surrogate needs a c-section, she would be compensated, say, $5000. But if she does not have a c-section, that money stays with the agency.
All-inclusive agencies tend to work with in-house legal counsel or closely associated attorneys and may self-mange an escrow account. The best practice is for legal and escrow to be separate from your agency. It is possible to still do this while working with an all-inclusive agency, but additional costs may be passed to you.
All things considered, you should be cautious about all-inclusive surrogacy packages if you
- are on a tight budget and are trying to have a cost-effective journey.
- already have a surrogate picked out
- only have one or two embryos and don’t plan on making more
- want to coordinate certain aspects of your journey like choosing your own attorney, escrow company or negotiating contract fees
- only want to pay for services and expenses that are used
All-inclusive surrogacy agencies provide a unique packaged experience for intended parents. This type of program may be right for you if you’re looking for additional assurances of a predictable price tag. As you create your budget, account for the fact that the package may not truly be all-inclusive.
