What You Need to Know About Surrogacy and Health Insurance in 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Where did the time go? It’s hard to believe that 2022 has almost passed us by and the holiday season is here. For many of us, this means busy schedules, family events, shopping, and lots of cheer. It is also a very important time in the surrogacy and health insurance world.
Here’s What You Need to Know About Surrogacy and Health Insurance in 2023
November and December signify Open Enrollment for health care insurance for 2023. You can enroll in or change 2023 Marketplace health insurance right now. For those who do not have health insurance, The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, Marketplace is the primary option to purchase coverage. Unless you have a qualifying event, November and December are the only months to secure healthcare coverage for next year.
If you are considering becoming a gestational carrier/surrogate in 2023, you will need to continue with your private health insurance. Or, you could enroll in an ACA health insurance plan during Open Enrollment.
If you are uninsured, you will need to enroll during the 2022 health insurance enrollment period which, for most states, runs from November 1, 2022 through December 15, 2022 (for a January 1, 2023 effective date). There is an additional enrollment period between December 15th, 2022 and January 15th, 2023. However, the effective start date is not until February 1st, 2023. If you do not enroll during one of these enrollment periods, you may be out of luck for subsidized plans for all of 2023.
Dates to Remember for Surrogacy and Health Insurance
November 1, 2022:
Day 1 of Open Enrollment — first day to change, enroll in, or re-enroll in a 2023 health plan through the Marketplace coverage could start as soon as January 1, 2023.
December 15, 2022:
Last day to change or enroll in plans for coverage to start January 1, 2023.
January 1, 2023:
Day 1 of 2023 coverage for those who enrolled in or changed plans by December 15, 2022 and paid their first premium.
January 15, 2023:
Last day to change or enroll in a 2023 health plan. After this date, you can only enroll or make changes if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
February 1, 2023:
Day 1 of 2023 coverage for those who change or enroll in plans December 16, 2022 through January 15, 2023 and pay their first premium.
Why is Open Enrollment important for Surrogacy and Health Insurance?
Surrogacy costs for intended parents quickly add up when you consider medical expenses, legal expenses, and surrogate compensation. And while the results of surrogacy are priceless, it is important to control costs when we can. Intended Parents can spend over $100k for each journey. For many intended parents, it is important that the gestational carrier they choose has her own medical insurance to cover the cost of the pregnancy. This allows for more cost control and reduces unknown expenses during the journey.
What can you do?
Potential Surrogates:
You may be eligible for a policy purchased on your behalf by the agency or intended parents. This means you must apply and be approved to a surrogate program before January 15, 2023.
Intended Parents:
Finding the right surrogate should never be rushed. However, if you have a potential match, it may be wise to make your matching decisions before Open Enrollment ends. Also, connect with your agency about purchasing a plan for a potential surrogate match that can be canceled if the match falls through.
Contact Family Choice Surrogacy today to get more information on the health insurance options for your surrogacy journey.
