OddsFrontUK government reviews surrogacy provider after insurance complaints in Mexico
Families say rejected medical claims left them with major bills, while the company says only a small number of claims were refused and that it is helping resolve them.
Government listing under review
Britain’s Department of Health and Social Care is reviewing allegations involving My Surrogacy Journey, a UK-based provider whose Mexican sister company arranged births for British intended parents. The department is considering whether the organisation should remain on a government list of domestic surrogacy agencies. The review follows complaints that insurance claims for Mexican surrogates’ medical care were rejected, leaving some intended parents responsible for substantial costs.
The Guardian reported that emails from the company’s chief executive acknowledged declined claims and said about 300 ongoing arrangements had been transferred to another insurance provider because of the risk of refusals. At least five sets of parents were reported to have covered medical costs after claims failed. One couple said they paid tens of thousands of pounds after their surrogate required a hysterectomy following childbirth.
Those are allegations under review, not adjudicated findings. Lawyers for My Surrogacy Journey said a small number of claims had been rejected, that valid policies remained in place and that the company was supporting families seeking resolution with an insurer. They also said intended parents receive information about costs, legal frameworks and practical risks, and that contracts require parents to cover medical expenses not met by insurance.
A fragmented international framework
The dispute illustrates the regulatory gaps surrounding cross-border surrogacy. UK commercial surrogacy is prohibited, while the company’s British branch operates on a not-for-profit basis and related businesses operate commercially abroad. Official British guidance says only some Mexican states recognise assisted reproduction and surrogacy. It advises prospective parents to understand local law, obtain independent advice and meet every requirement for taking a child out of Mexico.
British guidance also stresses that international surrogacy can involve separate questions of nationality, parental responsibility, passports and immigration. A foreign commercial arrangement is not automatically disregarded by British authorities, but legal parenthood may still need to be transferred through a parental order. Those complexities make transparent insurance terms and contingency planning especially important when pregnancy or childbirth produces an emergency.
The immediate next step is the health department’s assessment of whether the provider should remain on its public list. Several families are reportedly considering legal action, while the company says it is communicating with the department and expects the issues to be resolved. The review may also increase pressure for clearer government criteria governing which organisations receive an official listing and what financial protections cross-border agencies must disclose.