How Much Does Having a Surrogate Cost?

The journey to parenthood through surrogacy offers a path for many individuals and couples. This process involves a range of financial considerations. Understanding these aspects is important for those exploring surrogacy as a family-building option. This article outlines the various financial components of a surrogacy journey.

Surrogate Compensation and Support

A large portion of surrogacy costs is allocated to the gestational surrogate’s compensation and support. Base compensation for a first-time surrogate ranges from $45,000 to $55,000, with experienced surrogates receiving $60,000 to $70,000 or more. The exact amount can vary based on her experience and location.

In addition to base compensation, surrogates receive allowances and reimbursements. A monthly allowance, between $200 and $400, covers day-to-day expenses such as copays, prenatal vitamins, and local travel. Maternity clothing allowances are provided, ranging from $750 to $1,500, with higher amounts for carrying multiples. If the pregnancy results in carrying multiples, an additional fee of $5,000 to $10,000 per additional baby is typical.

Compensation for lost wages is provided if the surrogate needs time off work for medical appointments, procedures, or doctor-ordered bed rest. This can include lost wages for her spouse if they need to provide care. Fees for invasive procedures, such as embryo transfer or amniocentesis, are compensated, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per procedure. Support for childcare or household help is provided during specific periods of the pregnancy, such as during medical appointments or bed rest, ranging from $50 to $400 per week or day.

Agency and Professional Fees

The surrogacy process involves various professional services, each with associated fees. Surrogacy agency fees range from $35,000 to $55,000, though some larger agencies may charge up to $150,000 or more. These fees cover services such as matching intended parents with surrogates, conducting thorough screening (medical, psychological, and background checks), and providing case management and coordination throughout the journey.

Legal fees are an important component for establishing the rights and responsibilities of all parties. These fees range from $8,000 to $25,000. This includes drafting and negotiating the surrogacy agreement between the intended parents and the surrogate. Legal services also include obtaining pre-birth or post-birth parentage orders, which legally establish the intended parents as the child’s parents.

Psychological evaluations for both intended parents and the surrogate assess their emotional readiness and understanding of the process. These evaluations cost between $200 and $1,500 for the surrogate, and $350 to $500 for the intended parents, with joint sessions available. Background check fees are incurred as part of the screening process to ensure safety. Intended parents typically cover the fees for independent legal counsel for the surrogate, ensuring separate representation throughout the legal process, costing around $1,000 to $3,000.

Medical Procedures and Healthcare Costs

Medical expenses form a major part of the overall surrogacy cost, encompassing procedures and care throughout the journey. The in-vitro fertilization (IVF) process is central to gestational surrogacy, with a single IVF cycle costing between $15,000 and $40,000. This includes medication, monitoring, egg retrieval, sperm processing, and embryo transfer. If egg donation is required, it adds $30,000 to $40,000, covering donor compensation, screening, and agency fees.

Fertility medications for the surrogate are a considerable expense, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 for injections to prepare the uterus for embryo transfer. Once pregnancy is established, prenatal care expenses include regular check-ups, tests, and ultrasounds, essential for monitoring the health of both the surrogate and the developing baby. The costs associated with the delivery of the baby, including hospital fees, doctor’s fees, and any potential C-section costs, are covered by the intended parents. A C-section can incur an additional fee for the surrogate, ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.

Health insurance for the surrogate is an important consideration. While some existing policies may cover maternity, it is important to review them for surrogacy exclusions. If the surrogate’s existing policy does not cover surrogacy, intended parents may need to purchase a new policy, such as an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan, which can cost between $11,000 and $18,000.

Alternatively, specific surrogacy insurance plans from providers like Lloyd’s of London are an option, though these involve high deductibles ranging from $15,000 to $40,000. Life insurance for the surrogate is purchased by the intended parents, with coverage levels at $250,000 to $700,000.

Ancillary and Variable Expenses

Beyond the primary categories, ancillary and variable expenses can arise during a surrogacy journey. Travel and accommodation expenses for the intended parents are incurred, especially if the surrogate resides in a different state. These costs include flights, hotels, and ground transportation for medical appointments, the embryo transfer, and the birth. Such travel can add $2,500 to $5,000 per IVF cycle.

Escrow account management fees are incurred, as a third-party escrow service holds and disburses funds for surrogate compensation and other expenses. These fees range from $1,500 to $2,000. This ensures transparent and secure financial transactions. Unforeseen medical complications for the surrogate or the baby may lead to additional costs not covered by initial estimates. These may include extended hospital stays, additional treatments, or specialized care for complications like bed rest or high-risk pregnancies.

Miscellaneous expenses, though smaller, contribute to the total cost. These can include notary fees for legal documents and various administrative costs. Delays in the journey, whether medical or legal, may lead to additional expenses due to prolonged timelines. Planning for a buffer in the budget helps manage these less predictable financial demands effectively.