Comment posted Are Agencies Exposing Their Surrogates & Intended Parents To Potential Insurance Fraud Allegations? by Mia.
Thank you Andrew for the advice and for all you do on keeping us updated on the current infertility industry. Hopefully regulation will happen soon, without negatively affecting our IP’s.
Mia also commented
- Andrew, after all the heartache we have been through with the SGUSA scandal we can finally, happily say, our surrogate is currently pregnant. Of course this time we decided to go independently without an agency. We are approaching our 6 week ultrasound and have paid the hefty insurance premiums for our surrogate (New Life Agency). We are about to fund our deductible (another $15,000). I have to say, I am scared to death to send this amount of money, given what we already have lost through the MC Financial Group Trust Fund. How do we know New Life Agency is a legitimate company? I don’t know where to begin to research. I have searched online and have found nothing negative about this company, except for the very expensive premiums and deductible. But researching online is also what we did with SGUSA, and look what has happened. What can I advise our family and friends who are also suffering from infertility, and would like to explore their options through surrogacy? I don’t want another person to have to go through what my husband and I have been through. Thanks for any advice.
Recent comments by Mia
- Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied
“How is it possible that Tonya Collins has not yet been charged after the disappearance of almost $3,500,000.00 of client trust funds?” I think it might have to do with the fact people just don’t have much compassion when it comes to infertility. If this was an adoption agency who stole over $3.5 million from adopting parents, would action from the FBI have taken place by now? We have heard people make comments “maybe if you adopted instead of doing IVF with a surrogate, you might still have your money”. Maybe those people are right. Who knows? Is adoption a lot more regulated than Infertility Treatments and agencies? Would the FBI think its wrong to steal millions from adopting parents but not from parents wanting a biological child? - More Information On SurroGenesis, Michael Charles & Tonya Collins
I can not believe Tonya Collins is still free. Living in Ca….Like she she hasn’t done anything. I am very upset from what I have heared recently…..Some “SGUSA Victims” are planning to file a lawsuit against others like Shelley Tarnoff? Our money is GONE! It will never be found….Tonya will probably remain free and will start up another “Ponzi Scheme” in the future. But two wrongs DO NOT make a RIGHT. Why should Shelley be sued by us? She is a victim also. I feel we as victims should not be bringing a lawsuit against others on the outside of Tonya Collins “Scheme”. - Texas Newspapers Now Reporting On SurroGenesis Scandal
My question is….Is the SG / MC Scandal not important enough for the FBI to open an investigation? Our money that was stolen from us has paid for that 4480 SF home Collins and her family reside in….while we sit back “torn to pieces”. What kind of Fraud, Scandel, Embezzlement does it take for the FBI to take it seriously? - Bernie Madoff Looks Good In Comparison
Andrew, just wanted to thank you for your last comment regarding my comment about “our dreams being shattered”. It is nice to be reassured that not everyone in the industry is a “scam artist” and will commit fraud. I will definitely keep your resources in mind on our journey to having a baby. My husband and I will keep the faith….that someday we will have our dream. Thank you again for all your hard work keeping us posted. - Litigation Fund To Be Established For the Victims Of Michael Charles Financial & SurroGenesis
Wow! The last few comments on this blog have blown me away. I think a lot of us just feel frustrated, hurt, and just don’t know who to trust. My husband and I have never met our lawyer, anyone from MCIFHG, or our coordinator from Surrogenesis face to face. We have done business over the phone and by email. So we are very paranoid about who we associate by email and by phone now. But we do feel we need to be very careful about what we blog on this site. Our dreams of having a baby have been shattered. Our journey now has been to try and recover our savings. We always pondered the idea of adoption, but because of this fraudulent activity, we don’t think adoption is a safer route either.
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Andrew, after all the heartache we have been through with the SGUSA scandal we can finally, happily say, our surrogate is currently pregnant. Of course this time we decided to go independently without an agency. We are approaching our 6 week ultrasound and have paid the hefty insurance premiums for our surrogate (New Life Agency). We are about to fund our deductible (another $15,000). I have to say, I am scared to death to send this amount of money, given what we already have lost through the MC Financial Group Trust Fund. How do we know New Life Agency is a legitimate company? I don’t know where to begin to research. I have searched online and have found nothing negative about this company, except for the very expensive premiums and deductible. But researching online is also what we did with SGUSA, and look what has happened. What can I advise our family and friends who are also suffering from infertility, and would like to explore their options through surrogacy? I don’t want another person to have to go through what my husband and I have been through. Thanks for any advice.
Hi MIA,
First, congratulations on the pregnancy and best of luck on the ultrasound!
As far as New Life Agency goes, I have had nothing but good experiences with them for many, many years. They are ethical and reputable with a long track record in this industry. Also, please know that the insurance they are likely offering you is underwritten by Lloyds of London which is a secure and financially solvent market. As it stands today, the Lloyds plan is the gold standard and you will be well protected.
As far as what you can do to advise family and friends on how to avoid retaining an agency of the SurroGenesis ilk, I’d encourage you to start with this blog post: http://www.eggdonor.com/blog/2009/11/03/a-cautionary-tale-how-to-protect-yourself-from-unscrupulous-agencies/. While it is only a starting point, it does have what I believe are some helpful points to screen out many of the agencies that are operating questionable programs. I also cannot stress enough the importance of retaining independent counsel to review every aspect of your arrangement with any agency you are considering – starting with their retainer agreement.
Unfortunately, there is no realistic way to eliminate every risk. However, being informed about the unethical practices that are currently taking place and diligently investigating every individual and entity you are considering working with, is the best advice I can give. Hopefully we will see some well-considered legislation that will impose minimum requirements including licensure which may eliminate a lot of the guess work and risk-taking. Until then, all you can do is be diligent.
I wish there was more I could do. Again, best of luck on the ultrasound!
Thank you Andrew for the advice and for all you do on keeping us updated on the current infertility industry. Hopefully regulation will happen soon, without negatively affecting our IP’s.
What would you say if the CA AIM program allows surrogates to use their insurance? What would your advice be, use AIM that you know the max is about $700 or use New Life Agency that is pricey in the upwards of $25,000?
Hi Lala,
I would have to see the actual language of the California AIM program where they specifically include maternity benefits for women serving as surrogates.
Even if there is a legal right to do so (and my review of the Summary Plan does not indicate that they explicitly cover maternity benefits for surrogate arrangements), I would nevertheless remain uncomfortable about using the program unless the intent of the California Legislature is clearly expressed. From what I recall, it was never designed to assist high-income earners who are using financially eligible women as gestational carriers. So even if it was technically legal, I believe it crosses a line that will only lead to problems down the road.
Now if you can provide me with actual policy language that specifically articulates an intent by the State of California to offer these benefits to gestational carriers, then I would reconsider my position. However, I have found no such language in the Program information that I have received and reviewed.
Well I had an agency tell me they were going to have me apply for it. Of course I am thinking they are trying to get me into something way over my head. Because I thought there is NO WAY they would cover this. I looked online and did not find anything, so I called and talked to a rep. The rep said yes they cover it, they go off the surrogate’s income (comp included) not the IP’s, and some of their policies do have an exclusions for surrogacy. So she said to check each policy before picking. I am wondering if the allow surrogates because it even states if you have a deductible of $500 or more AND meet the income guidelines then you will qualify for AIM. The New Life Agency is going to be over $500, so maybe they are trying to save people from those high prices?