Guest: Virginia Hart, CEO of ARTRisk - https://artrisksolutions.com/

Topics Covered:

• Background on ARTRisk and Virginia's journey into surrogacy insurance
• Types of surrogacy insurance policies beyond basic health insurance (complications, life, disability, lost wages)
• How the regulatory landscape for surrogacy insurance has evolved over time
• Explanation of what a medical lien is and how it works
• Tips for intended parents during open enrollment period
• Importance of staying on top of insurance changes from year to year
• What to do if a surrogate changes jobs/insurance mid-journey
• Finding an insurance broker who will advocate for you

Key Takeaways:

• There are many types of insurance beyond basic health to protect all parties financially
• Regulations and policy exclusions are always changing so validate annually
• Liens allow insurance companies to charge back some medical costs to intended parents
• Communicate any insurance changes ASAP to avoid gaps in coverage
• Find an advocate who will fight for your best interests

Here are some brief show notes for The Trusted Way podcast episode:

- Introduction to SeedTrust CEO Adam Winder and his background in banking

- Overview of SeedTrust's mission to provide secure and transparent escrow services for surrogacy and egg donation journeys

- Discussion of how SeedTrust got started and saw a need to improve escrow services using technology

- Explanation of why escrow is critical for surrogacy journeys and the importance of keeping money safe

- Insights into SeedTrust's unique relationship with clients and partners in the surrogacy ecosystem

- Details on SeedTrust's 5 step approval process for maintaining security checks and balances

- Tips on questions to ask escrow providers about security, transparency, and team expertise

- Importance of relationships and community in ethical assisted reproduction

Key takeaways:

- Escrow provides critical protection for intended parents' money in surrogacy journeys

- Technology innovations allow for more transparency and engagement between parties

- A rigorous approval process maintains security through checks and balances

- Ask escrow providers about their expertise, security standards, and client transparency

- Surrogacy relies on an entire community working together ethically

The Trusted Way podcast brings together experts across the surrogacy and egg donation industry to have thoughtful discussions about how to participate in assisted reproductive technology in an ethical and moral way. Hosted by Abby Helmuth and Zach French from SeedTrust, the leading third-party escrow provider dedicated to bringing more transparency and safety to family building. Each episode features insights from lawyers, doctors, surrogates, intended parents and other professionals. By highlighting best practices and showcasing partners pioneering a better future, The Trusted Way aims to educate and empower those navigating fertility journeys.

Subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts and visit seedtrustescrow.com for more!