IDENTIFIED CARRIER PROGRAM
The Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia is happy to support Intended Parents who have already identified their own gestational carrier.
OUR TEAM WILL SCREEN YOUR SURROGATE ON YOUR BEHALF.
Our program fees are some of the most inclusive in the industry and they cover the following screening services:
- Local, state and federal criminal background checks
- Child abuse clearance
- Credit and financial background check
- Lifestyle screening including visiting with family
- Medical records review
- Evaluation for high-risk pregnancy by a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist
- Psychological evaluation by an independent therapist who is familiar with the issues surrounding surrogacy
- Medical insurance evaluation
WELL RESPECTED LEGAL COUNSEL, CLINICS AND ESCROW AGENCIES.
Your Gestational Carrier Agreement will be drafted by attorneys well versed in the legal complexities of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Unlike other agencies, we pay for the attorneys. We have strong, personal relationships with clinics throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. We believe that a third-party, licensed, bonded and insured professional escrow firm should keep your funds secure. We never co-mingle funds and only work with the very best escrow agencies that specialize in third-party reproduction and surrogacy.
MAKE APPOINTMENTS AND ARRANGE TRAVEL PLANS
There are a lot of appointments during the surrogacy process. We will work with your gestational carrier and the clinic to make sure appointments are never missed. If your gestational carrier needs to travel, we will make all travel arrangements on your behalf.
PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THROUGH BIRTH.
We will coordinate transferring care from the fertility clinic to the obstetrician who will be managing the pregnancy. Your dedicated case manager will keep you updated on critical milestones. We will help manage your insurance needs throughout the pregnancy. From maternity claims to putting specialty term life insurance policies or bedrest insurance in place, we will complete applications at the right times and provide all documentation to underwriting for approval.
IDENTIFIED CARRIER PROGRAM FEES – $18,000
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For Gestational Carrier Screening$4,000
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Upon Medical Clearance, For Contract Drafting & Review$6,000
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Upon Pregnancy Confirmation$4,000
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Upon Reaching 24 Weeks Pregnancy$4,000
A SURROGACY JOURNEY WITH US IN 10 STEPS:
The surrogacy process can be divided into ten steps. On average, the process takes twelve to fifteen months.
#1 PROGRAM ORIENTATION
We meet with Intended Parents and their chosen Gestational Carrier, individually and as a group. We want to answer all your questions about the surrogacy process, discuss timelines and expectations, and next steps.
#2 SURROGATE SCREENING AND EVALUATION
Gestational carriers undergo federal and state criminal background checks, lifestyle screening, and credit checks. Additionally, we will gather all original medical records directly from providers and provide them to your clinic of choosing. Psychological testing and evaluation will be conducted on the carrier and her partner/spouse. Finally, we will review her insurance coverage to determine if maternity care during a gestational surrogacy is covered (and identify appropriate insurance options if it is not).
#3 JOURNEY ESCROW ACCOUNT
An initial deposit of $2,000.00 will be placed in escrow to pay for your identified surrogate’s compensation (and travel reimbursements) during final medical clearance. We work with a bonded escrow agency to ensure your money is well protected. All transactions are visible to you online.
#4 FINAL MEDICAL CLEARANCE
We work closely with your chosen fertility clinic to coordinate the medical clearance process. In addition to medical history review, the clinic will also order FDA tests, blood work, ultrasounds, hysteroscopy, and/or a mock cycle.
#5 CONTRACTS
Once your gestational carrier passes medical clearance, you’ll enter into the contract phase. Your Gestational Carrier Agreement outlines expectations of each party in this process, as well as financial obligations. We will retain independent attorneys to work with you and your gestational carrier to review the terms of the contract.
#6 GESTATIONAL CARRIER COMPENSATION
Once the contract is signed, you will deposit a percentage of your carrier’s compensation into your secure, journey escrow account. Dedicated escrow agents will assist your case manager in disbursing any reimbursements in a timely fashion. We will make sure your gestational carrier receives her compensation by direct deposit, on time.
#7 MEDICAL PROTOCOL & CYCLING
The clinic will work closely with your gestational carrier, giving her a medical protocol to follow. The cycle will be monitored via blood work and ultrasounds. We will coordinate all appointments, including setting up diagnostic work close to where your gestational carrier resides (this is called outside monitoring). Embryo transfers usually occur between 4-6 weeks after starting medications.
#8 PREGNANCY
Our goal is for the first embryo transfer to result in a successful pregnancy. The clinic will perform at least two blood tests to confirm pregnancy. At four to six weeks gestation, a fetal heart rate is confirmed via ultrasound. We will coordinate transferring care from the fertility clinic to the obstetrician who will be managing the pregnancy.
We will help manage your insurance needs throughout the pregnancy. From maternity claims to putting specialty term life insurance policies or bedrest insurance in place, we will complete applications at the right times and provide all documentation to underwriting for approval.
#9 PARENTAL RIGHTS
During the fifth month of your pregnancy, an attorney will work with you to complete the necessary paperwork to obtain parental rights. The attorney will file the paperwork with the family court to have a pre-birth order issued. After the baby is born, the birth certificate will show your names on your child’s birth certificate.
#10 BIRTH AND JOURNEY COMPLETION
We will help you create a birth plan that clearly outlines expectations for all parties involved in the delivery. We will also work with your delivery hospital and provide any legal documentation, insurance and financial information that they require.
We will conduct follow ups with your gestational carrier and you in the weeks following birth. We can even facilitate transportation of expressed breast milk. We will be following legal proceedings to ensure you receive your baby’s birth certificate, make sure insurance properly pays for claims, and return your funds to you in a timely manner from the escrow account.
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE
If you have identified a potential surrogate and would like to learn more about how we can provide comprehensive screening and case management services for your journey, please fill out the form below so we can connect with you.