Questions For Intended Parents to Ask Potential Surrogacy Agencies
When you begin researching your options for surrogacy agencies, you may find the number of options and the amount of information overwhelming. We suggest asking the following questions to help you get an idea of what each agency has to offer. Their caseload, approach to case management, and connections within the surrogacy community can all help shape the experiences you will have during your journey.
We have shared our own answers here and welcome any follow up questions. Simply sign up for a free consultation to learn more about becoming a parent with Heartland Surrogacy!
What makes you special?
We limit our client network so that we can provide the customized service you need in your journey. By staying small, we can get to know you and your gestational surrogate well and be accessible to you any time you need us.
What is your staff size?
We are a team of three. We each hold expertise in specific areas of surrogacy and work together to provide comprehensive case management. Furthermore, we each have personal experience with surrogacy and/or parenting and a close connection to the geographical regions in which we provide services.
How many years have you been in business?
We officially started our business in 2013.
What are your agency fees and when are they due?
Our agency fees are spread across milestones in the journey, beginning with a low upfront cost. You can review our fees and other typical expenses here.
What services are provided, and what services will I need to obtain separately?
You will need a fertility clinic, separate legal representation for you and your surrogate, and escrow services for fund management. You may also need an insurance broker for your surrogate. We can help you find experienced providers in these fields.
What will happen if I pay a deposit and you are unable to find a surrogate match?
While such circumstances are rare for our agency, our fee schedule is set up precisely to avoid the stress of having a large deposit prior to a match. If there is an unsuccessful journey (at any point), we take a case-by-case approach and will work with you to create a suitable outcome for everyone.
Can I speak with previous intended parents?
Absolutely! We would love to connect you with Heartland Surrogacy parents.
What is the waiting time to be matched with a surrogate?
Your waiting time for a match will depend on your goals and requirements in your journey. We are lucky to have a regular influx of surrogate applications and typically have little to no wait time. While we work on finding and building the right match, our intended parents have an average waiting period of 2-4 months.
How do you find your surrogates?
Most of our surrogates find us when searching for an agency local to the Midwest or the West Coast. Surrogates are also referred to us by previous Heartland clients, medical providers, and surrogacy attorneys.
What is your matching process?
Matching through Heartland Surrogacy is a mutual decision made by intended parents and surrogates. We present you with a surrogate candidate’s profile to review and allow you to ask follow-up questions before we proceed with a match meeting.
What kind of screening will my surrogate complete before matching?
Our agency conducts preliminary interviews, medical record reviews, criminal background checks, social security verification, and a home visit prior to clearing a surrogate candidate.
How many of your surrogates have insurance that will cover a surrogate pregnancy?
Typically, about half of our surrogates hold an insurance policy that will pay for at least part of the medical expenses of a surrogacy pregnancy. The policy can be used once the surrogate is released to her obstetrician for routine prenatal care, and coverage will depend on the policy itself. The availability of surrogacy friendly plans varies by state, employer, and/or calendar year.
How does your program handle expenses for the surrogate?
All funds for your journey are held in escrow, a closed account, by an independent third party such as an escrow company or attorney.
How are surrogate compensation values determined?
We provide our surrogates with a list of typical ranges in their region for base compensation and variable expenses (which can include items such as prior experience, medical complications, etc.). They then determine what they believe to be fair amounts for their journey. The surrogate fees will be included with the surrogate’s profile for your review.
Am I obligated to use your agency in a sibling journey?
No. While we would love to support you in a sibling journey as we have past clients, we believe you should have full choice in as many ways as possible in their journeys.