Surrogacy Cost In The US: Can You Afford It?

The roads to parenthood are different for everyone, — some of them go along with many nuances, doubts, frustrations, and milestones; the others are more expensive as they involve several follow–up attempts until the positive pregnancy test is on the show and normal viable pregnancy is confirmed; and in some situations, it took so long, that counting the days, the IVF shots, the blood draws and bruises comes to hundreds, and all this might be just a part of the story as intended mothers and fathers may also have irreversible surgeries, emergencies like ectopic pregnancies and loss of both fallopian tubes and being unable to conceive naturally and have up to 19 failed attempts with multiple embryo transfers, implantation failures, miscarriages, and  Some aspiring parents start with IUI and finish with multicycle IVF with guaranteed birth. 

Some hopeful parents use their genetic material and transfer it to a tandem cycle with egg donor backup or directly to the Egg Donation cycle. Some intended parents are looking for a surrogate carrier to carry a baby for them as it is impossible or dangerous, or there are more implications why they should consider surrogacy pregnancy instead of their own. For example, when looking into surrogacy, most single mothers have been trying to expand their families for many years and have explored a variety of ways of doing so, or, in such cases as after one or two complicated pregnancies carrying the child (children), developing placenta accreta (a serious pregnancy condition that occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall), advanced maternal age, and others. For almost all parents opting for a surrogate carrier, the main questions are which state to choose for the surrogacy process and how much the process costs. 

USA Surrogacy Cost: Starts at $120,000 

Nowadays, more and more upcoming programs in the United States using their genetic material (intended mother’s oocytes and intended father’s sperm) start from $120,000. To understand the financial commitment of building your family, total surrogacy can cost between $150,000 and $200,000 with an average total cost of surrogacy tag of $175,000 for a surrogacy bundle coming along with backup options and guarantees. This cost estimate which reflects how much total costs, is based on the surrogate’s insurance, experience & requests.

The cost of a surrogacy for individuals and couples needing of egg donation will be higher. Such journeys start with $150,000 and may come to approximately $225,000 for a singleton baby and $250,000 for multiples (twins, sometimes, depending on the agency, — triplets). Intended parents who paid $225,000 and up say that they did choose Guaranteed Blastocyst and Guaranteed Birth for their IVF, which brought their IVF up to $49,000 (extra $10,000), and selected the Guaranteed Live Birth “Baby Born Guarantee” Premium package. They add that they did not choose a VIP, Premium, traveling, or an expensive egg donor. 

To match with a donor, almost 70% of intended parents (IPs) also did with their surrogacy, which added an extra $10,000 (in some cases, agency fees including such services as managing the cycle, providing legal support, preparing the contract, egg donor matching, background checking, screening, and coordination between egg donor, fertility clinic, IPs, and other professionals.

• Agency fees: $19,000 — $50,000 with an average under $39,000, but can be higher depending on the services needed.

Agency fee varies depending on the agency’s (1) location, (2) size, (3) type: surrogacy with egg donation or without; full–service or partial service; and (4) services provided.

Understanding What Affects Surrogacy Costs

Location

When considering the agency’s location, the cost of surrogacy tag can be $10,000—$20,000 more or less expensive compared to other U.S. states. This fluctuation reflects the overall cost within the country, as factors like the cost of living, demand for surrogacy firms, and local regulations play a significant role in determining the fees.

Additionally, the demand for surrogacy firms and surrogate carriers within a state can directly influence the agency fees and base pay for gestational carriers. States experiencing high demand for surrogacy firms tend to have higher fees and compensation for surrogate carriers. Conversely, states with lower demand may offer more competitive agency prices and base pay for surrogate carriers.

Overall, prospective parents should carefully consider all these factors when selecting an agency to ensure they make informed decisions that align with their financial capabilities and desired experience.

Size

The size of a surrogacy agency can have a significant impact on the services offered and the associated pricing. Boutique agencies, known for their premium services, typically charge higher fees compared to middle–sized or large agencies. Both boutique and large agencies, however, may provide essential services such as an exclusive surrogacy contract, a dedicated bilingual case manager for effective communication and negotiation, 24/7 support through various channels like calls and messaging apps, translation and multilingual support, medical and pregnancy care & coordination, accommodation for initial and follow–up visits, an experienced financial consultant to manage all fees and expenses, a dedicated legal assistant, and other crucial services that contribute to a smooth surrogacy experience.

The primary distinction between the two lies in the pricing of their services. Large agencies may offer discounts on surrogacy bundles or specific services, providing some cost advantages. On the other hand, boutique agencies commonly implement fixed pricing for their services, offering fewer discounts due to their premium service nature.

When choosing between boutique and large agencies, future parents should carefully assess their individual needs and financial capabilities to make the most appropriate decision for a successful and fulfilling surrogacy journey.

The type of agency: surrogacy or egg donation and surrogacy; full–service or partial service. 

The type of agency plays a crucial role in determining the fee structure and the range of services offered. Some surrogacy firms operate as “surrogacy and egg donation agencies,” facilitating both egg donations and surrogacy arrangements. In contrast, others exclusively provide surrogacy services, such as matching and hiring surrogate mothers, assisting with the legal framework, and navigating through surrogacy–related nuances, while collaborating with separate egg donation agencies. Additionally, agencies can be categorized as full–service or partial–service providers, further influencing the fee structure and the extent of services offered.

Fees paid to a full–service agency typically encompass a comprehensive range of services. These may include marketing and recruitment services, thorough screening of potential surrogate carriers, matching future parents with a suitable surrogate carrier, providing referrals to additional professionals, coordinating the involvement of various surrogacy professionals, arranging travel for the gestational carrier (and egg donors, if applicable), acting as a dedicated case manager throughout the entire surrogacy process, and offering overall support throughout the surrogacy journey.

On the other hand, partial–service surrogacy agencies may not provide the full spectrum of services needed to complete the surrogacy process. The level of support and services may vary, and intended parents may need to engage with multiple professionals and coordinate various aspects of the journey themselves.

When choosing between agency types, future parents should carefully evaluate their specific needs, preferences, and budgetary considerations. Selecting the appropriate agency type will ensure that all essential services are available and that the surrogacy journey progresses smoothly and efficiently.

Services provided by the agency.

Surrogacy agencies offer a wide range of services to accommodate the diverse needs of future parents. However, not all services are required in every surrogacy case. For instance, if intended parents have already found a suitable gestational carrier mother on their own, they may not need the agency’s matching services and can avoid paying the matching fee. On the other hand, intended parents who require assistance with the matching process should include the matching fee in their budget.

Other services provided by agencies may include legal support to navigate the complex legalities of surrogacy arrangements, medical coordination to ensure the surrogate carrier’s health and well–being, financial guidance for managing the various fees and expenses, and psychological support to address the emotional aspects of the surrogacy journey.

Intended parents should have transparent and open communication with the agency to understand the services and surrogate cost included in their chosen surrogacy program and the associated costs. Customized surrogacy plans can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of each future parents, ensuring that they only pay for the services that are essential for their specific surrogacy adventure. By carefully evaluating the services provided and their relevance to their individual needs, intended parents can create a cost–effective and well-suited surrogacy plan that leads them toward fulfilling their dream of parenthood.

The Cost of US Surrogacy Explained

Gestational Carrier’s and Intended Parent(s)’ Screening Fees: $3,000 — $6,000.

Initiating any surrogacy adventure entails essential background, criminal, and mental health screenings for both the surrogate carrier and the intended parents. These screening fees vary from state to state and routinely cost between $1,500 and $3,000 for the surrogate carrier and around $1,500 to $3,000 for the intended parents. In cases of surrogacy arrangements involving a single intended parent and the surrogate carrier, the screening fees are recalculated for a single intended parent, potentially lowering the cost to under $1,500. It is worth noting that these screening fees are commonly integrated within the agency fees of selected surrogacy packages. 

The screening protocol for the surrogate mother encompasses comprehensive background and mental health evaluations for her and her husband/partner. Simultaneously, the agency conducts a criminal screening for both the surrogate carrier and her spouse/partner.

Just like all prospective surrogate carriers undergo background screening inclusive of the listed aspects (background, criminal, mental), prospective parent(s) have to complete their own extensive screening process too. This screening process includes criminal background checks (some agencies complete FBI clearances), child abuse records checks, and mental health screening. These meticulous screening procedures ensure a holistic evaluation of all parties involved.

Legal Fees for Surrogacy: ranging from $7,500 to $24,000 and up, with an average cost of surrogacy of $10,000.

US legal fees paid for surrogacy can vary depending on the complexity of the process and the services required. Surrogacy attorneys play a crucial role in navigating the legal intricacies and preparing the necessary contracts, typically resulting in legal fees ranging from $7,500 to $19,000 on average. In around 75% of cases, the fees are around $10,000, while in 25% of cases, they can escalate to $24,000 and above.

For surrogacy deals in the US, it is common to expect legal fees of approximately $10,000, covering all the legal services provided during gestational surrogacy. Opting for a qualified surrogacy attorney and choosing a full–service bundle is often more cost–effective than a pay–per–service approach. The legal process involves obtaining a pre–birth order (PBO) from a court, which establishes the percentage of the child/children and grants immediate physical and legal custody of the baby to the future parents at birth.

In some cases, there may be the option of fixed fees for the entire Parental Order process, with the flexibility to offer smaller fixed fees for specific parts of the process. 

Legal services for gestational surrogacy encompass various aspects, including the preparation and negotiation of the Gestational Surrogacy Contract, background checks of the gestational carrier and their partner, representation of the intended parents throughout the entire legal process, validation of the Gestational Agreement by the court, and obtaining the Pre–Birth Order of Parentage, Final Order, and Birth Certificate.

Attorney’s fees for legal services can differ based on location and residency. For instance, in Texas, the flat fee for surrogate may cost $3,900 for local clients and $4,000 for out of state clients.–of–county/statewide clients. International clients can expect a flat fee of $4,900 and higher, which also includes the preparation of additional documents for child care if parents cannot be present during the birth. Various other legal services are available, such as reviewing insurance policies, agreements for egg donation and embryo adoption, and reviewing surrogacy firm documentation or escrow agreements.

It is essential to note that the quoted fees do not cover psychological and medical screening, counseling, IVF medical costs, home study fees (if ordered by the court), legal fees for the gestational surrogate mother, gestational surrogate fees and expenses, and insurance fees. These additional costs are typically payable by the intended parents directly to the providers of these services. Consulting with a surrogacy attorney and obtaining an estimate of costs specific to one’s case is recommended to understand better the overall expenses involved in the surrogacy process.

Surrogate mother base compensation: $39,000— $100,000 depending on experience, health status, and location. 

The compensation provided to surrogate mothers acknowledges their time, dedication, and commitment throughout the surrogacy journey. Base compensation for surrogate carriers can vary, ranging from $45,000 to $90,000, with some agencies offering programs starting at $39,000 based on factors such as experience, health status, and location. Standard criteria for surrogate carriers typically include ages between 21 and 45, up to three C–sections, 1–5 previous deliveries, and a BMI range of 19–33+. Enhanced criteria may limit the age to 36 years, one maximum C–section, 1–3 previous deliveries, and a BMI of 30 maximum. Additionally, there are premium surrogate criteria that impose even more stringent limits, such as the surrogate carrier’s age between 24 and 34, one maximum C–section, 1–2 previous deliveries, and a BMI of 25 maximum.

Base compensation for non–premium cost of a surrogate usually falls between $45,000 and $60,000, while premium surrogate carriers who meet the more restrictive criteria may receive higher compensation, starting at $80,000 and going up to $100,000, especially if they are carrying multiples. These varying compensation levels take into account the specific qualifications and experiences of the surrogate carriers involved in the surrogacy process.

As surrogate compensation varies based on specific criteria and qualifications, it is essential to understand the core elements that make up their compensation package. The base compensation, which acknowledges the surrogate’s dedication and commitment, can range from $45,000 to $90,000, with some programs offering starting amounts of $39,000. Standard and enhanced criteria set age, delivery, and BMI limits, while premium surrogate criteria impose more stringent qualifications, potentially resulting in higher compensation, reaching up to $100,000 for carrying multiples.

Core Elements of Surrogate Carrier Compensation: Surrogate carrier compensation typically consists of several core elements, including base compensation, additional costs, a monthly allowance, and insurance coverage. The base compensation is the primary amount given to the surrogate carrier, ranging from $39,000 to $69,000 or more. Additionally, surrogate carriers may be compensated for various expenses incurred during the surrogacy process, such as potential lost wages, maternity clothing, legal fees, travel expenses, and medical costs. To assist with incidental and ongoing expenses, surrogate carriers may receive a monthly allowance covering items like travel, housekeeping, dining, and other supplemental costs related to the surrogacy adventure.

Intended parents usually provide surrogate carriers with full–coverage health insurance, ensuring that all prenatal care and delivery expenses are covered. Understanding the specifics of the insurance coverage is crucial to avoid any financial burdens. Some surrogacy contracts may include further benefits, such as life insurance protection, reimbursements for maternity clothing, and access to counseling services. These additional perks are designed to offer surrogate carriers the necessary resources and support throughout the surrogacy journey in the United States.

In commercial surrogacy arrangements, a compensation package typically includes the base pay for surrogacy services and a monthly allowance. This allowance covers various surrogacy–related expenses, such as maternity clothes, local travel for doctor’s appointments, insurance co–pays, prenatal vitamins, health supplies, meals, childcare, housekeeping, telephone calls, and other miscellaneous pregnancy expenses. Understanding these core elements can help ensure that surrogate carriers are adequately compensated and supported throughout their surrogacy experience.

Surrogate Carrier’s Insurance Costs: Starting at $10,000 and Going Up to $39,000.

Considering that most standard health insurance plans do not cover a surrogate carrier’s pregnancy and the intended parents have to cover the premiums and deductibles for their surrogate carrier’s insurance plan while they are working together, this financial aspect is essential to have in mind when navigating this journey. Therefore, if the intended parents are considering surrogacy, they might want to ask a lawyer who specializes in surrogacy law to look at their health insurance policy so they know what is and isn’t covered by their current insurance before investing in a new insurance plan and purchasing insurance for the surrogate carrier. Insurance costs for surrogate carriers typically range from $10,000 to $39,000.

Medical Services Costs: Starting at $20,000 and topping up to $50,000+.

When choosing a fertility clinic or hospital, it is essential to find the one that features an onsite laboratory and operating room, eliminating the need for additional admission fees and significantly reducing your travel time.

Routinely, the IVF bundles offered by the fertility clinics include basic screening, one or multiple IVF cycles with one or multiple transfer trials; some may also offer preimplantation genetic testing and other add–ons like assisted hatching, vitrification of the remaining embryos, and frozen embryo transfer backup. 

Standardly, the basic medical screening for the surrogate carrier and the intended parents is covered by the IVF pack. In other cases, the clinic offers screening bundles with necessary consulting services, diagnostic tests, ultrasound scans, lab tests and other medical procedures. More sophisticated screenings may involve more comprehensive diagnostic tests such as immunologic tests, endocrinology testing, and genetic testing, which may add an extra $1,000 to $4,000 to the surrogacy total price tag.

The actual cost of fertility treatment is based on a number of factors, including:

1. Your diagnosis
2. Your screening plan
3. Your treatment plan
4. Medication
5. Any extra services that will be used
6. Your coverage plan
7. Your prescription benefits

For this reason, most IVF clinics offer the intended parents the meeting with their financial counselors to review the prospective parents’ coverage plan, calculate an exact cost for treatment, estimate miscellaneous fees, and discuss payment plans and financing.

Depending on the genetic material used to make an embryo and whether donation is required, the total cost for IVF will be different. If the couple uses own oocytes and sperm and donation is not required, the cost would range between $19,000 for Standard Stim and $39,000 for Premium multi–cycle (up to 3 or 4 Cycles), which comes with the Blastocyst(s) Guarantee and Live Birth Guarantee. Some fertility clinics may offer less expensive cycles, starting at $7,900 for Natural Cycle, $7,900–$8,900 for Minimal Stim, and $10,900 for Standard Stim IVF. However, these bundles may cover only the cycle and not the surrogate carrier’s preparation for embryo transfer, which will be billed as an additional bundle of services. When the pricing for a cycle is under $19,000, it is essential to check if screening, fertilization, and other services are covered. Some clinics may configure non–expensive bundles with only stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilization. Additional services like pre–cycle screenings, anesthesia, ICSI, Time–Lapse, assisted hatching, genetic testing of the blastocyst, blastocyst transfer, cryopreservation of extra IVF embryos and their storage, post–transfer consultations and pregnancy tests are charged separately. Therefore, before signing any agreements and starting a less expensive cycle, it is vital to inquire about the included services, number of trials, miscellaneous fees, back–ups, guarantees, potential upgrade fees, cancellation fees, and any other fees that might arise.

Prospective parents in need of using donor eggs should anticipate paying between $16,000 and $24,000 for a batch of frozen eggs and between $19,000 and $50,000+ for fresh egg donation cycles.

It should be noted that non–expensive Egg Donation bundles standardly cover only the batch of cryopreserved eggs (sometimes transportation fees are covered too) or only fresh egg donation cycle, including donor’s screening, egg retrieval, and the donor’s compensation. This means that ICSI and other IVF lab services associated with creating and cultivating the embryos are paid separately.

For Egg Donation with non–Premium Donors packages starting at $39,000 and up, it is possible to choose Guaranteed Birth, which guarantees the blastocysts and backup option of having a frozen embryo transfer in case the fresh transfer results in implantation failure or a miscarriage. Other Egg Donation programs with a Premium Egg Donor allow intended parents to “hire” an egg donor with premium specifications, including unique desired features such as skin color or eye shape and color. Premium egg donors are more expensive, especially if they are international (traveling donors), but it is still possible to find bundles with costs starting at $49,000.

Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, Surrogate Carrier’s Hospital Charges & Baby’s Hospital Charges: Starting at $19,000 and up. 

Navigating the financial aspects of childbirth is a significant consideration for prospective parents and surrogate carriers alike, with costs starting at $19,000 and varying depending on multiple factors. While this figure encompasses prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, it is important to understand the nuances that can influence the final expense. Health insurance often plays an essential role in offsetting these expenses, yet those without coverage can face substantial hospital bills. 

The overall cost of giving birth is contingent on a variety of components, including the nature of the birth and the geographical location. Prenatal care, a fundamental element of the process, typically involves 10 to 15 obstetrician visits for an uncomplicated pregnancy. This encompasses a range of tests, from routine blood work and glucose assessments to genetic testing and ultrasounds, all contributing to the overall cost of childbirth.

The type of delivery significantly affects expenses, with natural births generally incurring lower costs compared to cesarean deliveries, regardless of health coverage plan.

Hospital charges for the mother can vary based on circumstances. A natural delivery usually entails a 48–hour hospital stay, while cesarean births extend this to around 96 hours. Complications during delivery or the need for specialized postpartum care can significantly increase the final charges.

Medications like epidurals and labor inductions can contribute to higher costs. Additionally, newborns require essential medical attention after birth, including vital sign monitoring, initial screenings, and necessary blood tests before discharge. For infants facing difficult births or specific medical conditions, extra monitoring and tests included in surrogacy expenses might augment the hospital bill. Understanding these intricacies ensures informed financial planning for the childbirth journey.

Incidentals and Miscellaneous Fees: Starting at $1,000 and topping to $30,000.

In addition to the core expenses, the surrogacy journey encompasses various incidentals and miscellaneous fees, introducing further financial considerations for intended parents. These auxiliary cost may vary significantly, beginning at $1,000 and extending up to $30,000 or more. It is important to be aware of these potential expenses, which can include specific fees depending on unique circumstances:

• Additional Rematch Fee: Should a rematch be necessary, an additional fee of $5,000 is applicable.
• Medical Procedures: Procedures such as amniocentesis, CVS, D&C, and cerclage each entail a fee of $1,000 per procedure.
• Mock Cycle and Cancelled Cycle: A fee of $500 is associated with a mock cycle if ordered by a physician, or in the case of a cancelled cycle after medication commencement.
• Cesarean Section: A cesarean section, recommended by a physician, comes with a fee of $4,000 and up.
• Multiples Fees: For instances of twin pregnancies, an additional fee of $10,000 and beyond is expected. Similarly, for triplet pregnancies, an additional fee of $20,000 and up applies.
• Fetal Reduction or Termination: A fee of $2,000 applies when fetal reduction or termination is recommended by a physician or requested by the intended parents.
• Organ Loss: An amount of $1,000 applies for each organ loss unrelated to pregnancy.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: For surgical intervention, the fee is $1,000; for oral medication, it is $500.
• Partner’s Lost Wages: Compensation for lost wages of the husband/partner, up to approximately $250 per day, is considered.
• Professional Insurance Company Fee: Enrolling a gestational surrogate in a policy through an independent surrogacy process incurs a fee of around $500.
• Postpartum Lost Wages: A required minimum of 6 weeks after natural delivery and 8 weeks after a cesarean section is supported.
• Breast Milk Pumping Reimbursement: A weekly reimbursement of $250 supports breast milk pumping efforts.
• Additional Uncovered Travel Costs: If any travel costs remain uncovered, they are to be negotiated as per the direct agreement.
• Housekeeping, Childcare, Lost Wages: Costs related to housekeeping, childcare, and lost wages resulting from physician–restricted activities are established through direct agreement.
• Short–Term Disability Plan: If the gestational surrogate lacks coverage through work, an optional short–term disability plan can be considered.

Understanding and preparing for these incidentals and miscellaneous fees ensures that intended parents are equipped for the comprehensive financial aspects of the surrogacy journey.

Additional Considerations and Unforeseen Costs: Starting at $3,000 and Up.

Beyond the essential components of the surrogacy adventure, an array of other expenses can contribute to the overall financial landscape, starting costs as little as $3,000 and extending upwards. These expenses encompass various aspects, including travel–related outlays such as purchasing tickets and booking accommodations, which are imperative when coordinating visits with the surrogate carrier or ensuring presence during critical milestones. Longer hospital stays for surrogate carriers in cases of giving a birth to multiples, premature delivery, or the need for a neonatal intensive care unit can lead to heightened medical costs.

Moreover, specialized care for micro–preemies or preemies necessitates specialized fees. Additionally, the charges associated with the baby’s hospital stay and newborn care further augment the financial scope. Acquiring suitable medical insurance for potential contingencies, as well as fees linked to obtaining legal documents and certifications for the newborn, can accumulate unforeseen expenditures.

The range of potential costs varies widely, spanning from $3,000 to $39,000 and beyond, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive financial planning to navigate these diverse and unanticipated expenses. As the surrogacy journey unfolds, a clear understanding of these financial considerations ensures that intended parents are well–prepared to meet the various demands that may arise along the way.

Navigating the Path to Parenthood Through Surrogacy

The journey to parenthood is a diverse and intricate road, with each path unique in its challenges, triumphs, and financial considerations. For some, the journey is marked by uncertainty, frustration, and the pursuit of milestones. Others traverse a more expensive route, involving multiple attempts and significant investment before the positive pregnancy test is achieved. In some cases, the days of IVF shots, blood draws, and hundreds of emotional moments span a considerable time frame, accompanied by countless challenges and tests of resilience. But in the end, the understanding that this Miracle has been created by you and for you reinforces the extraordinary journey.