Surrogacy costs in the USA, are they too high?

Surrogacy Costs in the USA: An Insightful Guide with OVU.com

Embarking on a surrogacy journey is a significant decision for many aspiring parents. Understanding the financial aspects of surrogacy in the USA is crucial. This guide aims to provide insight into the costs associated with surrogacy and how OVU.com can help navigate this complex process.

Understanding Surrogacy Costs

Key Expenses:

• Agency Fees: Range from $15,000 to $39,000, covering essential services and guidance.
• Surrogate Mother Fees: Typically $30,000 to $79,000, compensating the surrogate for her role.
• Legal Fees: Vary from $4,900 to $19,000, covering contracts and legal proceedings.
• Embryo Creation: $19,000 to $30,000, involving various medical procedures.
• Egg Donation: $16,900 to $39,000, with additional potential agency fees.
• IVF Costs: $9,000 to $19,000 after egg donation.
• Insurance Costs: $10,000 to $36,000, usually not covered by standard policies.
• Additional Costs: Maternity clothes, medical expenses, travel, and baby preparation.

Actionable Tips for Prospective Parents

• Research Thoroughly: Use the OVU Fertility Network to compare and select the best agency or clinic for your surrogacy journey.
• Plan Financially: Utilize the OVU Network to understand all potential costs and find programs that fit your budget.

FAQs on Surrogacy Costs

• Does insurance cover surrogacy costs? 
  Most do not, but consulting with insurance professionals is essential.
• Can OVU help reduce surrogacy costs? 
  Yes, by finding cost-effective solutions and programs.
• Are there ways to manage surrogacy costs? 
  Yes, through partial-service agencies and careful planning.

Surrogacy costs in the USA, are they too high?

The cost of surrogacy in the USA can indeed be substantial, raising concerns about affordability for many prospective parents. The fees for surrogacy using a frozen embryo can range from $60,000 to $90,000, with an average cost of around $70,000. IVF surrogacy, which involves using the intended parents’ own eggs and sperm, is typically priced between $90,000 and $120,000, with an average cost of approximately $100,000. 

The expenses further escalate when donor eggs are utilized, requiring local or traveling egg donor participation, with costs potentially reaching up to $200,000 and an average price of $130,000. For unique cases involving “Twins with two surrogate mothers,” the total cost may surge to as much as $300,000, covering unlimited attempts. These figures highlight the significant financial investment associated with surrogacy in the USA, prompting prospective parents to carefully consider their budget and explore potential financing options to make this dream a reality.

Breaking down the costs of US surrogacy costs.

US Surrogacy Agency Fees: $15,000 to $39,000.

To connect with potential surrogate mothers, most intended parents choose to work with agencies instead of starting an independent or so–called “private” surrogacy arrangement. By eliminating surrogacy agency services, they may decrease the total cost of surrogacy, ranging from $15,000 to $39,000. However, while it may seem tempting to forgo agency services and work independently with a surrogate mother, fertility clinic, and surrogacy attorney, this decision can lead to additional costs and complications. Surrogacy agencies provide a range of vital services, including recruiting potential surrogate mothers, managing the entire case, and assisting with legal agreements, medical screenings, and counseling services for all parties involved.

It is important to note that agency fees vary greatly, and it is essential to thoroughly research and compare different agencies to find the one that best fits your needs and budget. Some agencies offer partial services, such as mediating connections between intended parents and surrogate mothers, providing legal advice, and managing the egg donation process. Opting for a partial–service agency can significantly reduce fees, allowing intended parents to potentially spend under $9,000 and save up to $30,000 compared to the fees charged by full–service surrogacy agencies.

When considering working with a surrogacy agency, it is also crucial to inquire about their policies regarding re–matching with a new surrogate mother and the number of screenings included in the program fee.

While working with a surrogacy agency can be a significant financial investment, it offers valuable support and guidance throughout the surrogacy process, ensuring a smoother and more secure journey for intended parents.

Surrogate mother fees: $30,000–$79,000.

One of the significant components of gestational surrogacy costs is the compensation provided to the surrogate mother. This compensation includes medical testing and screenings, embryo transfer, child carrying and delivering, and surrogacy’s emotional and physical journey. The fee for surrogate mothers typically ranges from $30,000 to $79,000, depending on their location, previous experience as a surrogate mother, insurance, and so on. It is worth noting that this fee may increase if the surrogate mother carries multiples (twins or triplets) or undergoes a cesarean delivery.

Generally, first–time surrogate mothers may receive lower compensation than those with previous surrogacy experience. However, it is essential to mention that basic surrogacy programs often have eligibility criteria aligned with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines. These guidelines typically include criteria such as the surrogate mother’s age falling between 21 and 45, having had up to three previous C–sections, and up to five previous deliveries.

Additionally, there are different program tiers, such as the Basic and Premium programs, which may have varying health requirements for surrogate mothers. For example, the Basic program adheres to the minimum ASRM guidelines, with ages ranging from 21 to 45, up to three previous C–sections, and a BMI between 19 and 33+. On the other hand, the Premium program sets higher health standards that exceed the ASRM guidelines, including a narrower age range of 24 to 36, a maximum of one previous C–section, a maximum BMI of 30, and one to three previous deliveries.

Understanding these distinctions between program tiers and surrogate mother compensation can give intended parents a clearer picture of the costs involved in surrogacy. It is crucial for intended parents to discuss these details with their surrogacy agency or fertility clinic to ensure transparency and make informed decisions that align with their budget and specific requirements.

Legal fees: $4,900–$19,000.

The total price of the legal aspects can vary significantly based on the location of the surrogacy arrangement and the lawyers involved. Generally, legal fees for surrogacy can range from $4,900 to $19,000.

The legal process of surrogacy involves drafting and reviewing contracts, establishing parental rights, and ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations governing surrogacy in the respective jurisdiction. The complexity and specific requirements of surrogacy laws differ from one region to another, which can impact the overall cost of legal services.

Embryo creation: $19,000–$30,000.

Embryo creation is a crucial step in the surrogacy process, especially for prospective parents using their own eggs and sperm. The costs associated with embryo creation can vary significantly based on several factors, including the screening and testing protocol, stimulation and medication, the number of egg retrievals, and additional procedures and add–ons.

To ensure a successful IVF cycle, prospective parents may need to undergo various screenings and tests such as karyotyping, ovarian reserve genetic tests, ovarian failure genetic tests, genetic compatibility tests (GCT), male fertility genetic tests, sperm capacitation, Cystic fibrosis tests, Y chromosome microdeletions, TUNEL (DNA fragmentation assay), and more. The specific medical procedures required, such as stimulation (single or DuoStim), medication, and the number of egg retrievals, can also influence the overall cost.

In addition to these factors, there are various add–ons and techniques available during the embryo creation process. These include in vitro maturation (IVM), MACS (magnetic–activated sperm sorting), microfluidic sperm sorting chips, fertilization techniques like ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), IMSI (intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection), PICSI (physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection), assisted hatching techniques, blastocyst culture using Time Lapse technologies (such as GERI, Primo Vision, or Embryoscope), genetic testing of IVF embryos, vitrification of embryos while waiting for genetic testing results, devitrification and transfer, vitrification of remaining embryos for future use, and other relevant add–ons and backup procedures.

Considering the wide range of procedures and add–ons involved in the creation of embryos, the costs associated with this stage can typically range from $19,000 to $30,000 per cycle. It is important for intended parents to have thorough discussions with their fertility clinic or reproductive specialist to understand the specific procedures recommended for their situation and the associated costs.

Egg donation: $16,900–$39,000.

In the surrogacy process, the use of donor eggs can be a crucial step for many intended parents. The cost of using donor eggs can vary based on several factors and considerations.

The price range for utilizing donor eggs typically falls between $16,900 and $39,000, depending on various factors that influence the overall cost. One of these factors is the chosen egg donation process, which can be either fresh or frozen. The cost of a fresh or frozen egg donation cycle can significantly impact the surrogacy price tag.

For frozen donor eggs, the minimal package usually consists of six eggs, with a cost starting at $16,900. There may be options for premium donor batches, including six to eight eggs that can cost around $21,000.

However, it is important to note that these prices may not cover additional fees charged by egg banks or egg donation agencies. The fees associated with working with an egg donation agency or egg bank can range from $6,000 to $9,000, or even higher, depending on the specific agency or bank chosen.

For fresh egg donation cycles, the cost structure can be different. In addition to the abovementioned fees, intended parents may need to consider additional expenses, such as agency fees, ranging from $7,900 to $13,000, depending on the agency collaborating with their surrogacy agency or clinic. These fees often cover the egg donor screening process, ensuring the suitability and health of the chosen egg donor.

When deciding to proceed with egg donation, it is essential for intended parents to have detailed discussions with their surrogacy agency, fertility clinic, or egg donation agency to understand the specific costs involved, including any potential additional fees beyond the base egg donation price. This comprehensive understanding of the costs associated with egg donation will enable intended parents to plan their surrogacy journey effectively and make informed decisions aligned with their budget and needs.

In vitro fertilization following egg donation: $9,000–$19,000.

Once the donor eggs have been obtained through the egg donation process, the next crucial step in the surrogacy journey involves the creation of embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This stage incurs additional costs that the intended parents should be aware of.

The cost of embryo creation through IVF following egg donation typically ranges from $9,000 to $19,000, depending on the fertilization technique and add–ons required.

Insurance costs: $10,000–$36,000.

The cost of insurance for surrogate pregnancies typically falls on the intended parents, as most health insurance plans do not provide coverage for surrogacy. This means that intended parents will be responsible for either paying the premiums and deductibles for their surrogate mother’s existing insurance plan or purchasing medical insurance for the surrogate mother. The estimated cost of insurance in surrogacy can range from $10,000 to $36,000 depending on various factors, such as the surrogate mother’s age and health status, the state of residence, and the level of coverage needed.

Additional surrogacy costs.

In addition to the core expenses associated with surrogacy, intended parents should consider and budget for additional costs that may arise throughout the process. These additional costs can vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences. While creating a budget for surrogacy, it is advisable to allocate funds for potential expenses such as maternity clothes for the surrogate mother, unforeseen medical expenses that may arise during the pregnancy, travel and lodging expenses if the surrogate mother resides in a different region or country, and the typical expenses involved in preparing for the arrival of a newborn, including nursery setup and baby essentials. By including a provision for these additional costs, intended parents can better anticipate and manage their financial obligations throughout their surrogacy journey.

Does insurance cover surrogacy?

In general, surrogacy is not covered by insurance. Although some insurance policies may cover certain aspects of the process, such as prenatal care, most stages of surrogacy are not covered. For example, when a surrogate mother is under the care of a reproductive endocrinologist, the screening, embryo transfer, and monitoring fees are usually not covered by insurance. After the surrogate mother is released to the care of an OB at around 12 weeks of pregnancy, her personal insurance may be used, but many insurance policies have surrogacy exclusions. As a result, prospective parents need to work with insurance professionals who specialize in surrogacy to determine the best, safest, and most cost–effective plan to secure throughout the surrogacy pregnancy.

Conclusive Words: 

Surrogacy involves various costs that prospective parents must carefully consider. Agency fees, which range from $15,000 to $39,000, surrogate mother fees between $30,000 and $79,000, legal fees up to $19,000, and other associated costs such as embryo creation, egg donation, and insurance, outline the financial investment required in the surrogacy journey. While navigating these expenses may seem daunting, engaging with a surrogacy agency like OVU.com can offer invaluable support and guidance. OVU.com simplifies the complexity of surrogacy, making the path to parenthood more accessible and secure. By leveraging OVU.com's resources, intended parents can find the right agency or clinic that fits their budget and needs, ensuring a smoother journey toward achieving their dream of parenthood.