Shady Grove charging $350 to release my embryos to another clinic

[Anonymous]

I'm paying $530 to have them transported to CNY and now SGF says they charge a $350 administrative fee to release my embryos. I asked where I was notified that that would be the cost and they were like, I'm telling you now. Is this legal?

[Anonymous]

Why would they have to do work for free???

[Anonymous]

What does the contract say? The one you probably signed on the first day.

[Anonymous]

It's not on the contract. I asked where I signed that. They said you have to sign that you'll pay that to release your embryos. Basically holding my genetic material hostage for $350. Scumbags.

[Anonymous]

Normal.

[Anonymous]

As a lawyer, I agree they should have put it in the contract, and since they didn’t I would be happy to challenge it for you. But you just don’t have the kind of damages that would make it worth it for me to take it contingency, so I would have to charge you by the hour. Just writing the first demand letter would cost $350 at least.

I’m not trying to be a jerk, but you asked if it’s legal, so that’s the legal reality. We could pursue it but it would have to be a passion project for you.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if you could find enough other SGF patients to contest it. Or maybe report them to the state comptroller or attorney general? I’m not a lawyer so I have no idea but I agree, that is ridiculous. You should definitely leave reviews EVERYWHERE including on this board where people ask about people’s experience with SGF. I was thinking of making an appointment with SGF but thinking twice now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if you could find enough other SGF patients to contest it. Or maybe report them to the state comptroller or attorney general? I’m not a lawyer so I have no idea but I agree, that is ridiculous. You should definitely leave reviews EVERYWHERE including on this board where people ask about people’s experience with SGF. I was thinking of making an appointment with SGF but thinking twice now.

SGF is the biggest and best in town. That’s why they can pull off stuff like this. I’m so glad I don’t have embryos with them anymore, but grateful I got my baby.

[Anonymous]

It is very typical for clinics to throw up barriers to make it hard for you to fire them. Usually it is your medical records, though.

You can probably file a complaint with the state department of health or something.

[Anonymous]

That’s definitely abusive. What jerks!

[Anonymous]

I have had a lot of experience with surprise fees at Shady Grove. It's their MO. Not sure there is much you can do about it.

[Anonymous]

FYI - I think that this is standard. I paid a similar fee at another clinic that was transferring my frozen eggs. There was also a fee at the receiving clinic. Understandably frustrating, but they do have to fill out a bunch of forms, work with the transport company, and actually move the specimens into the transport container, so it isn’t a costless process for them. I just wouldn’t waste time arguing about it.

[Anonymous]

SGF is awful, absolutely cruel