How to Read a Georgia IVF Package Contract｜Key Clause Interpretation & Precautions

A Practitioner’s Observation: Why the Contract Matters More Than the Price

I have handled hundreds of Georgia IVF contracts and noticed a pattern: when comparing packages, over 80% of patients only focus on the total price and whether ovulation induction medications are included, while ignoring the most critical clauses in the contract regarding cycle cancellation, embryo disposition, and refund percentages. It is only when a cancellation or transfer failure occurs that they realize there are dozens of additional conditions between “included” and “free.”

A contract is not a document to be locked away in a drawer after signing; it is the only legally binding agreement between you and the medical agency or hospital. Georgian law has clear regulations on assisted reproduction, but as long as any clause in the contract is not illegal or against public order and good customs, the court will prioritize the agreement. Therefore, knowing how to read a contract is far more important than choosing a package.

Core Information a Contract Must Include

A standard Georgia IVF package contract should cover at least the following 11 items. Missing any one means it is an incomplete contract, and you must request supplementation before signing.

No.	Clause Category	Specific Content Requirements
1	Contracting Party Information	The full name, registration number, address, and contact information of both parties (the institution and the patient), as well as the patient’s name, passport number, and date of birth. If signed through an agency, the authorization relationship between the agency and the Georgian hospital must be clearly stated.
2	Service Item List	Clearly list which medical services are included: types and dosages of ovulation induction medications, egg retrieval surgery, sperm optimization, ICSI, embryo culture, PGT-A/PGT-M (if applicable), number of frozen embryos, number of transfers, luteal support methods, etc.
3	Cost Breakdown	Itemize: medical fees, medication fees, laboratory fees, PGT fees, translation fees, coordination fees, accommodation (if any), legal document fees, third-party compensation, etc. A single total price is not acceptable.
4	Exclusions Statement	Clearly mark which costs require additional payment: e.g., carrier screening for chromosomes, third-party egg/sperm purchase, additional cryopreservation fees, recovery costs after cycle cancellation, overdue accommodation, etc.
5	Cancellation and Refund Policy	Specify the refund percentage for cancellation at different stages: before starting the cycle, before egg retrieval, before transfer, after embryo formation, etc. Especially when third-party assisted reproduction is involved, how the surrogate’s compensation is handled after cancellation.
6	Embryo Ownership and Disposal Rights	Clarify who owns the embryos, how embryos are disposed of in the event of death or divorce of one party, and whether they can be donated or destroyed.
7	Medical Responsibility and Risk Disclosure	Whether there is a clear explanation of the possibility of ovarian hyperstimulation, anesthesia accidents, egg retrieval complications, embryo culture failure, and transfer failure.
8	Follow-up Plan After Failure	If a single cycle does not yield a transferable embryo or results in no pregnancy, whether a discount for another egg retrieval, reduced fee for frozen embryo transfer, or refund is provided.
9	Legal Compliance Commitment	Georgia allows legal third-party assisted reproduction and egg donation. The contract should state that the institution has the relevant qualifications and promises not to violate the law.
10	Dispute Resolution Method	Specify the competent court and applicable law. Usually, the Tbilisi Court in Georgia is designated, but it is necessary to confirm whether English or Russian litigation is accepted and whether Chinese translation services are available.
11	Language and Translation Responsibility	In which language the contract is signed (commonly bilingual), and which version prevails in case of inconsistency between Chinese and Georgian/English.

The 3 Most Pitfall-Prone Clauses

1. “Unlimited Transfers” or “Unlimited Transfers, But Conditions Apply”

Many Georgia packages advertise “unlimited transfers,” but the contract text may state “free transfers within the number of frozen embryos included in the package.” For example, a patient has 3 embryos frozen, but the contract says “unlimited transfers” followed by small print: “Each transfer must be at least 2 months apart; transfers exceeding the package embryo count cost $1,000 each.” This is not truly unlimited but a limited cycle.

Correct approach: Require the contract to clearly state “regardless of the frozen embryo inventory, as long as there are usable embryos (including embryos from subsequent cycles), no additional transfer fees will be charged.” Also confirm whether embryo thawing fees are included in the package.

2. Deductions Behind “Full Refund”

Refund policies are a high-risk area for disputes. Some contracts state “full refund if no live birth,” but upon closer inspection, there are deductions: incurred medical fees, medication fees, surrogate compensation, legal fees, and translation fees are not included in the “full” amount. For example, a patient pays $25,000 for a package but only receives $4,000 upon cancellation because the agency has already paid $15,000 to the hospital as a deposit, and the surrogate compensation is “non-refundable once matched” according to the contract.

Before signing, ask the institution to provide a detailed “deduction list for cycle cancellation,” preferably as an appendix to the contract. For example: refund rate 0% after matching a surrogate, 90% refund for cancellation before starting the cycle, 70% before egg retrieval, 50% after embryo formation (excluding embryo freezing fees).

3. “Embryo Disposal Rights” Defaulted to the Institution

I have seen a contract stating: “Both parties agree that if one party fails to contact the hospital for more than 18 months, the embryo shall be deemed donated to the hospital for research or teaching purposes.” This means if you give up or lose contact midway, the embryo will not be destroyed or donated to another family according to your wishes but becomes the hospital’s asset. Under Georgian law, embryo disposal should strictly follow written consent, but contract clauses can bypass this regulation.

Correct approach: The contract must include a separate “Embryo Disposition Declaration,” clearly stating how embryos should be handled (destroyed, continue freezing, donated to a designated person, or donated to an embryo bank) in the following situations: divorce, death of one party, permanent return to home country, or discontinuation of treatment. This clause must be signed by hand for confirmation.

Differences in Contract Focus for Patients of Different Ages

Age affects the risk preferences of contract terms. The following explains for three age groups: under 35, 35-40, and over 40.

Under 35: Mainly focus on whether “ovulation induction medications include high-dose protocols.” Young women have good ovarian response, and standard doses are usually sufficient. However, some packages only cover standard doses by default. If the doctor adjusts to a high dose based on AMH, the excess is out-of-pocket. It is recommended to add a cap clause in the contract: “If the stimulation protocol needs adjustment for medical reasons, the medication cost difference shall not exceed $200.”
35-40 years old: Focus on whether “PGT-A and chromosome screening” are included. At this age, the embryo aneuploidy rate increases, and PGT-A can significantly improve transfer efficiency. If the contract only includes one PGT-A screening, it should clarify “whether a re-biopsy is provided before transfer (e.g., if embryos develop slowly and need extended culture).” Also, after a cycle cancellation, whether a free frozen embryo thaw and re-biopsy opportunity is provided.
Over 40: The biggest risks are low follicle count, low egg retrieval rate, and low embryo formation rate. The contract must clearly state: if the number of eggs retrieved is 0 or no usable embryos are obtained, whether all medical fees (excluding medication and anesthesia fees) are refunded. Many packages do not offer refunds for women over 40, or only refund 20%. This must be negotiated and listed separately with the institution before signing.

Common Cost Traps in Georgia IVF Packages

Here are some real cases, often disguised as “service fees” or “coordination fees” in contracts.

Duplicate Surrogate Medical Examination Fees: In some contracts, “surrogate medical examination” is listed in the package, but in practice, patients are required to pay extra for the surrogate’s chromosome testing, infectious disease screening, and psychological evaluation. When signing, remove the word “extra” or specify which specific tests are included.
Annual Increase in Embryo Freezing Fees: The contract states “includes first-year freezing fee,” and from the second year, $50 per month. The best practice is to bundle the freezing fee into the total package price or agree on free freezing for 5 years.
Legal Document Fees Charged Separately: Some Georgia packages do not include fees for legal procedures such as birth certificate processing, nationality determination, and parent-child relationship confirmation. These documents usually need to be prepared before embryo transfer. If missed, it may cost $2,000-$4,000 to hire a local lawyer for expedited processing.
Language Translation Fees: Most Georgian IVF hospitals use Russian or Georgian, and translation is usually provided by the agency. If the contract states translation fees are “not included,” each consultation may cost $30-$50, potentially adding up to $2,000 over the entire cycle. It is recommended to require translation fees to be included in the package.

Specific Process Checks Before Signing the Contract

The following checklist can be used to check item by item with your phone when signing. If any item does not have a clear clause, do not sign.

Confirm the institution’s assisted reproduction license number registered with the Georgian Ministry of Health, and request a copy attached to the contract.
Use Google Maps or the Georgian Business Registry to verify that the signing address matches the actual clinic location.
Request that “all package service contents” be listed as Appendix 1 in both Chinese and English or Russian.
Confirm whether the “dispute resolution” clause specifies arbitration or litigation; arbitration is preferred (lower cost than litigation).
Request that the compensation plan in case of “institution bankruptcy or loss of qualification” be written into the contract.
All promised verbal conditions (e.g., “guaranteed success on first try,” “guaranteed baby boy”) must be put in writing; otherwise, they are considered non-existent.

Special Case Handling: Additional Contract Considerations for Third-Party Assisted Reproduction

If your package involves surrogacy (legal in Georgia), the contract must also include the following:

The surrogate’s age, weight, previous pregnancy and childbirth history, miscarriage history, and infectious disease screening results must be clearly listed, not just “qualified surrogate.”
The surrogate’s compensation standards: including monthly living expenses, prenatal check-up fees, nutrition fees, lost wages, and compensation plan for mid-term miscarriage or premature birth.
The distance between the surrogate’s residence and the hospital: if the drive exceeds 2 hours, additional accommodation or transportation costs for the surrogate may be required.
If the surrogate withdraws before transfer, whether there is a backup surrogate, replacement time, and who bears the cost of changing.
The child’s nationality and the parents’ legal rights after birth: the contract must state that the Georgian court will issue a paternity test judgment, ensuring both parents’ names appear on the birth certificate.

Risk Reminder: Language Versions of the Contract Text

The vast majority of Georgia IVF contracts are in Georgian + Russian/English, and the Chinese translation has no legal effect. If there is ambiguity in the translation of contract terms, which language prevails? It is recommended to add a clause in the contract: “In case of any inconsistency between the Chinese translation and the original Georgian version, the Chinese translation shall prevail; if there is no corresponding clause in the Chinese translation, the consumer protection principle under Georgian law shall apply.” Georgian law does not have a clear “consumer protection” provision; this clause essentially gives the arbitration tribunal a discretionary direction. If this clause cannot be added, at least ensure the Chinese translation is notarized and signed by both parties.

Additionally, do not sign based on a screenshot of the contract on a tablet or phone. You must obtain a paper or PDF version and read it word for word. I have encountered patients who signed a 3-page contract, but the legally effective contract was 5 pages, with the last two “additional clauses” hidden by staples. So, turn to the last page, check if the page numbers are consecutive, and if the footer has “Page X of Y.”

Doctor’s Advice: If Signing Locally in Georgia, It’s Best to Hire a Translator Lawyer

Even if the agency provides a Chinese translator, that translator is usually an employee of the agency and does not have interests fully aligned with yours. In Tbilisi, Georgia, there are law firms specializing in assisted reproduction legal services (e.g., Chitadze & Partners), charging about $300-$500 per hour. Hiring an independent lawyer to review the contract when signing may seem expensive, but compared to the losses from subsequent disputes, it may only be 1/10. For packages over $30,000, it is recommended not to skimp on this legal fee.

In summary: How to read a contract? Treat it like an insurance policy, not a shopping list. Check every “if… then…” conditional statement word by word, turn all verbal promises into clauses, turn all vague expressions into specific numbers, and turn all “we are responsible” into “our party bears responsibility for no more than X amount.” A contract signed this way will make your IVF journey in Georgia more secure.