How Much Does it Cost for a Surrogate?

If you’re considering surrogacy to grow your family, understanding the costs is an important first step.

The average compensation for a surrogate is $50,000-$70,000, which is a large portion of the overall cost of surrogacy.

If your family is pursuing surrogacy, this article can help you understand surrogate pay and prepare for the overall costs of surrogacy.

Get started now to plan your journey with confidence and find the financial resources you need.

How Much Does it Cost for a Surrogate?

The average cost for a surrogate typically ranges from $50, 000 to $110,000.

This amount is made up of a base pay as well as reimbursements for her expenses, but it does not cover other necessary costs such as medical, legal, and agency fees.

In addition to surrogate pay, intended parents can expect additional costs related to agency fees, legal fees, insurance costs, and medical expenses.

To get a full understanding of surrogacy expenses, it’s important to plan for all associated costs. Read more about the costs of surrogacy.

A Breakdown of Gestational Surrogacy Fees

How much a surrogate receives for the entire surrogacy journey depends on several factors.

Base pay for surrogate compensation depends on factors like cost of living in her area, her experience as a surrogate, and the time required for her to complete the journey.

In addition to base pay, below you can find a list of common reimbursed expenses you can expect to see:

These reimbursed expenses ensure that the surrogate is not financially burdened while carrying a child for intended parents.

What is the Cost for a Surrogate with Insurance?

In some cases either your insurance or your surrogate’s insurance may cover the medical expenses associated with surrogacy, but unless you have fertility-specific insurance like Progyny or similar insurance, in most cases, insurance won’t cover the base compensation and reimbursements that are paid to the surrogate directly.

In terms of medical expenses, here is how insurance can help:

• Surrogate’s Insurance: If your surrogate’s insurance covers the pregnancy, it can save you significant money. But, if her insurance doesn’t cover surrogacy-related expenses, you may need to purchase supplemental insurance. While this insurance can be expensive upfront, it can provide long-term savings by covering unexpected medical costs.
• Your Insurance: Some health insurance policies will cover pregnancy costs for surrogates, but you must ensure that surrogacy is included in your plan. Always verify with the insurance provider to avoid any unexpected costs.

Your surrogacy agency may be able to help you find a surrogacy-friendly insurance agency or plan.

In summary, insurance can play a crucial role in the surrogacy process, but it’s important to be prepared for potential out-of-pocket costs for both medical and non-medical expenses related to the surrogate’s care.

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

Understanding the Total Cost of Surrogacy 

While surrogate compensation is a large portion of the overall cost, it’s important to recognize that surrogacy involves several other expenses. The total cost of surrogacy usually ranges from $150,000 to $300,000 or more, depending on the specific factors of the journey. These expenses may include:

• Agency Fees: These fees typically range from $15,000 to $30,000 and cover the matching process, administrative support, and coordination of the surrogate’s journey.
• Medical Costs: As mentioned earlier, IVF (in vitro fertilization) and other medical expenses can add tens of thousands of dollars to the overall cost. IVF cycles generally cost between $12,000 and $20,000 per attempt.
• Legal Fees: Legal costs can include contract creation, parental rights agreements, and other legal proceedings. These can range from $5,000 to $10,000.
• Insurance: Depending on your insurance policy and your surrogate’s coverage, insurance premiums may add $3,000 to $5,000 to the overall cost.
• Miscellaneous Expenses: Additional expenses, including travel, maternity clothes, lost wages, and child care, may also contribute to the total cost.

Altogether, while the surrogate’s compensation is a major cost, the total cost of surrogacy includes several other necessary fees that should be factored into your budget when planning for surrogacy.

Check out this article to learn more about how your family can afford surrogacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover a surrogate?

Insurance coverage for a surrogate can vary greatly. Some health insurance plans will cover pregnancy-related medical expenses for the surrogate, but this is not always the case. If insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy costs, you may need to purchase additional insurance to cover medical expenses.

Is a surrogate cheaper than IVF?

Surrogacy is generally more expensive than IVF alone due to the additional costs associated with the surrogate’s compensation, legal fees, and other reimbursed expenses. IVF is usually a component of surrogacy, but it can also be done independently if a woman is using her own eggs.

How do people afford surrogacy?

Affording surrogacy often requires a combination of savings, loans, and insurance. Many couples work with surrogacy agencies that can help them find financial resources such as loans, credit programs, and even crowdfunding. It’s important to plan ahead and research financial assistance options.