Surrogacy Insurance Myths

By Lynlee Weber

Surrogacy insurance myths are plentiful these days. If you are planning a surrogate pregnancy, look over this list of pregnancy health care related untruths to make sure you are properly informed before you get started. Sometimes you may be better off obtaining surrogate insurance coverage.

A Note from Rayven about Surrogacy Insurance Myths: Lynlee Weber is a Surrogate Advocate Representative for New Life Agency, an insurance company that provides pregnancy health care insurance policies to surrogates. She was kind enough to write this page on surrogacy insurance myths so that we can all understand a little more about some of the dangers that are faced by surrogate mothers and intended parents when it comes to surrogate insurance coverage. You can find Lynlee'’s contact information at the bottom of this page.

Surrogacy Insurance Myths

Surrogacy is a journey that involves many decisions, hours of research, and a lot of dedication.

Surrogates are women who want to give, and give in a big way.

However, in wanting to give and be selfless, many forget to make sure they, and their families, are one hundred percent protected.

In our current culture, many of us do not like nor trust our insurance companies.

Many of us do not even really understand how insurance works. Surrogates take unnecessary risks because either they want to help so much that they are willing to brave the consequences, think that the bad things will not happen to them, or simply do not understand how devastating the consequences can be.

I intend to dispel many surrogacy insurance myths and explain the risks of using a major medical insurance policy when a woman acts as a surrogate. I will also offer advice on how to better protect herself, her family, and her financial future.

Surrogacy Insurance Myths

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Myth #1:

I know another surrogate who used the same insurance company that I do and they paid her claims so it is okay if I use my insurance

False. Insurance policies change from state to state, employer to employer, and from time to time. Do not assume that because you are using the same company, that your policy is identical. Call and ask if they cover surrogate pregnancy and get it in writing if they say they do.

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Myth #2:

My policy says is covers pregnancy health care and does not state that surrogacy is excluded, so it covers surrogacy

False. Another huge mistake that surrogates often make is assuming that if their policy states that it covers maternity, and does not specifically exclude surrogacy, that it will pay for surrogacy claims.

This is not the case!

Many insurance agencies are getting wise to surrogacy and realize it is not a risk they want to take.

They have many ways of denying surrogate insurance coverage claims.

They can deny claims based on the interpretation that surrogacy is not the same thing as maternity.

They can also review your application forms and if you stated that you were not pursuing surrogacy (even if you weren't at the time) or you made any other mistakes they can find, they can cancel your policy and not pay your claims.

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Myth #3:

My OB is great. She'll lie to the insurance company and tell them it is an adoption to get around a surrogacy exclusion in my policy

False. The insurance company can send forms to your OB asking if you are acting as a surrogate and the doctor must answer honestly or face serious consequences such as losing a contract or being prosecuted. These are not risks that OBs are willing to take for one patient.

More surrogacy insurance myths:

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Myth #4:

I qualify for Medicaid (or other government insurance coverage for low-income individuals), so I should use it instead of obtaining surrogate insurance coverage to save my intended parents some money

False.

Government insurance is not provided so that its clients can profit.

This is likely considered insurance fraud and abuse of government funds.

You can be banned from ever being on government assistance in the future, you will have to repay all claims, and you could also be prosecuted and spend time in prison.

These are not risks that any surrogate should take in order to help their intended parents save money.

This is not a risk that any decent intended parent will allow their surrogate to take.

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Myth #5:

I don't want to call my insurance company and ask if they will cover surrogacy because it would raise red flags and they will not pay my claims

False. Call.

Raise every red flag you can and then some.

If your insurance company is not going to cover surrogate pregnancy, they are not going to cover surrogate pregnancy.

It is much better to find out before you get pregnant than to find out when they deny your claims.

If they say that they will cover claims for surrogacy, GET IT IN WRITING!

Do not proceed to get pregnant without a letter from your insurance company stating they will cover your claims. If they later attempt to deny claims, you will have this letter to help prove your case.

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Myth #6:

I have a surrogacy contract with my intended parents and it says they will pay for my medical bills so if claims are denied then it is their responsibility

True, and false. Yes, your intended parents would be responsible, but they may not be able to afford your bills.

If you have used your policy, then the claims are in your name. The insurance company does not care about your contract with a third party.

You are obligated to pay the bills and if you do not then they will send you to collections. Many surrogates have been forced into bankruptcy due to large medical bills that their insurance refused to pay and their intended parents could not afford.

Even if they were able to recover the funds from the intended parents via legal means, the damage has already been done to the surrogate’’'s credit.

More surrogacy insurance myths.

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Myth #7:

There isn't really anything the insurance company can do to me if I lie about being a surrogate

False. They can take you to court to repay claims and prosecute for insurance fraud. They can put a lien on your surrogacy compensation and not pay any claims until you have paid that back. They can cancel your insurance coverage for you and your entire family.

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Other things surrogates and intended parents need to know:

Many major medical policies have lifetime caps.

This means, your family has a set amount of medical coverage forever.

For example: You have a $1 million cap.

If you use $500,000 of your coverage because you used your insurance for a surrogacy and had complications, then your entire family has only $500,000 more in coverage.

What if you are the victim of a serious accident or a spouse or child develops a very severe disease? You can run out of coverage very quickly.

Surrogacy agencies and even attorneys are not always on your side. Even if they say your policy is fine and they are able to use it, you need to be your own advocate. Call the insurance company on your own and get a letter stating that they will pay claims for a surrogate pregnancy. Do not move forward without it.

This page, Surrogacy Insurance Myths, was written by Lynlee Weber. Lynlee Weber is a 4 time gestational surrogate. She has been involved in with surrogacy for the last 8 years. She is the current Surrogate Advocate Representative for New Life Agency and can be contacted at 866.620.6646 or lynlee@newlifeagency.com with any questions.

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