Intended Parents

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance?


Surrogacy can be a beautiful journey that leads to the family you’ve always dreamed of. However, surrogacy can also be a costly process, and many prospective parents wonder if insurance will cover surrogacy-related expenses.

Fill out this form and get personalized help from a surrogacy professional who can help you navigate insurance.

This article will share with you the basics of how insurance can affect your journey and what to expect when it comes to insurance for surrogacy.

Learn more about how your family can afford surrogacy here .

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance?

The cost of surrogacy with insurance can vary depending on whether or not your policy covers certain expenses. In some cases insurance may save you many thousands of dollars. In other cases, your insurance may not cover any surrogacy-related expenses.

Here are the general categories of costs you’ll need to consider when navigating surrogacy with insurance:

  • Surrogate Compensation

    This is generally not covered by insurance and can range from $65,000 to $110,000 for the surrogate's time, effort, and expenses.

  • Pregnancy and Birth Medical Costs

    If your insurance covers the surrogate’s medical care, you may only need to pay deductibles or co-pays, which could cost between $5,000 to $10,000 or more. If your insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy-related expenses, you may need to purchase separate insurance for the surrogate.

  • Insurance for the Surrogate

    If your surrogate does not have insurance that covers pregnancy-related care, you may need to purchase a surrogate insurance policy, which can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 for the term of the pregnancy, depending on coverage and state regulations. Some agencies may offer package deals that include this insurance.

  • IVF Expenses

    In addition to medical costs for the surrogate, IVF often means a separate set of medical expenses that may or may not be covered by your insurance.

  • Other Surrogacy Expenses

    Things like legal fees, travel expenses, and agency fees are usually not covered by insurance but will need to be added to your overall costs.

    Overall, the cost of surrogacy with insurance can significantly lower your out-of-pocket expenses, but there are still many fees involved that your insurance won’t cover. It’s crucial to understand these costs and work with a surrogacy professional who can guide you through them.

    Does Insurance Cover Surrogacy?

    The answer depends on several factors, including the state in which you live, your health insurance provider, and the specific terms of your policy. In many cases, insurance policies do not cover the full range of surrogacy expenses, but there are exceptions.

    Some policies may cover medical costs for the surrogate’s pregnancy if she is added to your insurance, while others may only cover certain aspects, such as maternity care or complications that arise during the pregnancy. It’s important to check your health insurance policy and speak to your provider to fully understand what is and isn’t covered.

    However, surrogacy-friendly insurance or gap insurance plans are available, and many surrogacy agencies can help guide you in finding these options. Some agencies include the cost of this insurance in their service fees, which can make the process easier to navigate.

    How Does Insurance Work with Surrogacy?

    The way insurance works with surrogacy can be complex. There are several options for insuring your surrogate, and each will come with its own set of costs and coverage limits.

    While there are some fertility insurances that cover surrogacy completely, in most cases, medical insurance will only cover some of the medical costs for surrogacy. And not all insurance allows for medical expenses related to surrogacy to be covered.

    That being said, here are some of the most common scenarios:

    A great surrogacy agency can help you navigate your insurance and find the right plan for your surrogate. It’s important to note that these plans often come with specific conditions, so it’s best to have a professional surrogacy agency assist with finding the appropriate coverage.

    Fill out this form and get personalized help from a surrogacy professional who can help you navigate insurance.

    How Much is Surrogacy Insurance?

    If your surrogate is not covered by your insurance or her insurance for a surrogate pregnancy, you may need supplemental insurance. Supplemental surrogacy insurance costs usually range between $3,000 and $10,000, but it depends on what type of insurance is needed.

    How to Afford Surrogacy Outside of Insurance

    While insurance can help reduce the cost of surrogacy, there are other options available to help you afford the full process. Some ways to afford surrogacy include:

    By utilizing a combination of insurance options and financial assistance resources, many families can successfully afford surrogacy even if their insurance doesn’t cover all the expenses.

    Find out more about how your family can afford surrogacy here or fill out this form and get personalized help from a surrogacy professional who can help you navigate insurance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is surrogacy ever covered by insurance?

    In some cases, yes. Some insurance policies may cover the medical costs associated with surrogacy, but it varies widely by policy, location, and whether the surrogate is covered under the intended parents’ plan or a separate insurance policy.

    How do people afford surrogacy?

    People often afford surrogacy through a combination of insurance, savings, loans, payment plans, crowdfunding, and grants. Working with a professional surrogacy agency can also help identify financial resources.

    Which is cheaper, IVF or surrogacy?

    IVF typically costs less than surrogacy. The cost of IVF typically ranges from $12,000 to $30,000 per cycle, while surrogacy can cost between [insert cost range] or more due to additional compensation for the surrogate, medical expenses, legal fees, and insurance costs. However, IVF can quickly become more expensive if multiple IVF attempts are necessary, and ultimately IVF is not effective for all couples.

    Do surrogates pay their own medical bills?

    Typically, intended parents cover the surrogate’s medical expenses as part of the surrogacy agreement. However, some surrogates may have their own insurance that helps with certain costs, and this can be factored into the overall financial planning.

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