Typical Surrogacy Costs

Factors That Contribute to the Costs of Surrogacy

The surrogacy journey is an intricate process that requires substantial coordination across multiple parties, as well as comprehensive support throughout every step. From the meticulous screening and selection of surrogates to advanced medical care, legal procedures, and more, surrogacy entails a wide range of elements that contribute to its overall expense. Understanding these factors can help intended parents navigate the financial aspects of surrogacy and make informed decisions as they embark on this deeply fulfilling path toward building a family.

Surrogate Location

Depending on the surrogate’s state of residence, location can have a surprisingly significant impact on the overall cost of a surrogacy arrangement in several ways, including:

• Surrogate compensation and regional cost of living: Surrogates from states with a high cost of living, such as California or New York, typically have higher compensation rates.
• Surrogacy laws and regulations: Surrogates from states that are generally favorable and accommodating of surrogacy arrangements, such as California, generally involve fewer legal complexities and associated costs.
• Medical expenses: The availability and cost of medical procedures, fertility treatments, prenatal care, and delivery can vary widely from state to state.
• Travel expenses: If the intended parents reside in a different state than the surrogate, there may be travel and accommodation expenses involved for both parties, which can add up over time.

Working With a Surrogacy Agency

As intended parents explore the path of surrogacy, it is natural for them to consider the option of pursuing an independent surrogacy arrangement. The allure of potentially saving money and having more control over the process may make independent surrogacy seem appealing at first glance. However, it is important to recognize that embarking on an independent surrogacy journey without the support and expertise of a reputable surrogacy agency can often lead to unforeseen challenges and complications. Surrogacy agencies provide invaluable support and guidance throughout every step of the journey, including legal guidance, communication, protecting financial interests, resources, advocacy, and mediation.

Surrogate Compensation

Compensation represents a large portion of the overall costs of a surrogacy journey. It encompasses not just financial support for the surrogate's time, effort, and medical expenses but also serves as an expression of gratitude for the profound act of carrying and giving birth to a precious child. Various factors can influence surrogate compensation, including:

• The surrogate’s base fee, which can be impacted by factors such as location and experience
• Medical procedures, including fertility treatments, prenatal care, screenings, ultrasounds, medications, and any other necessary medical procedures
• Legal fees
• Insurance coverage, including life insurance
• Psychological support
• Additional expenses, such as reimbursement for lost wages, maternity clothing, childcare, travel expenses, and other allowances

Donor Concierge's Standard Surrogate Search Package

Each surrogacy journey is unique, and these factors, among others, collectively influence the overall final cost of surrogacy. Given the substantial personal, logistical, and financial investment involved, it’s crucial that intended parents seek professional guidance from the very beginning to ensure a well-organized and positive surrogacy journey.

That’s where Donor Concierge comes in. Our Standard Surrogate Search Package allows you to begin your surrogacy journey on the right foot by simplifying the process of finding and matching with a surrogate. Instead of sifting through numerous agencies and relying on luck, Donor Concierge connects with a vast network of vetted surrogacy agencies across the United States to find your best match.

Learn more about Donor Concierge’s Standard Surrogate Search Package.

Surrogacy Costs FAQ

Are medical expenses included in the overall cost of surrogacy?

Medical expenses represent a significant component of the overall cost of surrogacy. Having a child through surrogacy is a medically-complex process that involves various procedures, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, prenatal care, childbirth, and postnatal care. Additionally, there are also tests, medications, and any other necessary medical procedures that come up during the surrogacy journey. All of these expenses are paid for by the intended parent(s). It’s important to note, however, that these costs can vary widely depending on various factors.

How do agency fees impact the overall cost of surrogacy?

Surrogacy agency fees typically represent a significant portion of the overall cost of surrogacy. Surrogacy agencies provide indispensable services and support throughout the surrogacy journey, including surrogate screening, matching, facilitating legal and medical processes, coordinating logistics, and offering emotional guidance.

Is surrogacy covered by insurance, and does it affect the cost?

Insurance coverage for surrogacy varies depending on the insurance provider and policy. Some plans may offer coverage for certain aspects of surrogacy, such as prenatal care or IVF, but not all. To understand your surrogacy insurance coverage, it’s important that you connect with your provider directly to find out what services are covered, if any.

How can intended parents plan and budget for the cost of surrogacy?

Planning and budgeting for the surrogacy journey is an essential step for intended parents. The first step is to understand the various costs associated with surrogacy, including agency fees, legal fees, medical expenses, surrogate compensation, and other additional costs. It’s strongly recommended that intended parents connect with professionals experienced with surrogacy to create a comprehensive budget, explore financing options, and review insurance coverage. Throughout the journey, intended parents should plan to monitor and adjust their budget as needed, keeping track of expenses and being prepared for unexpected costs.