Building a Family on Your Own Terms: Exploring Surrogacy as a Path to Parenthood

Welcome to the ultimate guide to understanding surrogacy expense coverage.

Want to learn how to pay for surrogacy?

Good choice. Thousands of families learn about surrogacy every year as a way to start or grow their families. Surrogacy presents hopeful parents who cannot carry a pregnancy with a genuine option for parenthood.

Here's the issue.

Surrogacy is not cheap. In fact, it can be quite costly. And when you're just trying to learn what surrogacy expense coverage options look like, it can feel daunting as you sift through all of the details.

Without proper guidance, you could end up over your budget quickly.

But that's where this guide comes in. When you finish reading this article, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of surrogacy expenses. It covers everything you need to know about financial preparations as well as how to cover those expenses.

So without any further ado, let's take a look at understanding surrogacy expense coverage.

What you'll learn:

• What Is Surrogacy and Why Is It Growing?

• The Real Cost Behind a Surrogacy Journey

• How Surrogacy Expense Coverage Actually Works

• Smart Ways To Cover the Cost

What Is Surrogacy and Why Is It Growing?

Surrogacy is a family-building journey where someone else carries a child for you and your partner. Gestational surrogacy specifically refers to a surrogate carrying a child via IVF with the intended parents' embryos. The surrogate will have no genetic relationship to the child.

Gestational surrogacy has become the most common type of surrogacy throughout the United States.

And it's becoming more popular every year.

According to CDC data, between 2012 and 2021, gestational carrier cycles increased from 3,202 to 8,862. That's more than double in under ten years!

More families are turning to surrogacy than ever before, as medical advancements have made the process more successful and accessible. At the same time, society has become more open and accepting of different forms of creating a family.

However, one thing that hasn't become more accessible is the financial aspect. Surrogacy requires a lot of money, and understanding surrogacy expense coverage should be one of your first stops before beginning the journey. There are medical costs, agency fees, legal expenses and more.

Don't forget about surrogacy compensation either.

The bottom line? Surrogacy works. But it takes a lot of money to do it correctly.

The Real Cost Behind a Surrogacy Journey

Surrogacy can easily cost between $100,000 to $200,000 in the United States. Some journeys cost more than $250,000. There's a reason such a large range is given above. Every journey is different.

Let's break down where all that money goes.

Surrogate compensation: $40,000 to $60,000+

First-time gestational surrogates can earn between $40k to $60k+. Experienced surrogates that have done it multiple times can command much higher rates.

Agency Fees: $20,000 to $60,000

Surrogacy agencies charge anything from $20k to $60k to help match you with the right surrogate and provide support throughout the journey. They conduct all screening, provide case management and offer continuous support.

Medical Expenses: $15,000 to $30,000+

One cycle of IVF costs anywhere from $15k to $30k. But that's just the beginning. You have medications, monitoring appointments, doctor visits and prenatal care.

Legal Fees: $8,000 to $15,000+

The attorneys who help guide you through the legal process will usually charge between $8k and $15k. They ensure everyone's parental rights are established legally and typically manage the escrow account as well.

Insurance Costs: $10,000+

Depending on the coverage you carry for the surrogate's pregnancy, insurance costs can range from $10k or more.

As you can see, many different expense categories make up a full surrogacy journey.

How Surrogacy Expense Coverage Actually Works

Here's the deal… most health insurance plans will not cover any part of your surrogacy journey. Again, not a single cent.

It's shocking, right?

However, certain medical aspects of carrying a child like prenatal visits and delivery may be covered depending on the insurance plan you have, your location and your unique setup.

That being said… that isn't stopping change from happening. A recent study done by Carrot Fertility found that approximately 61% of employers with more than 500 employees offered some form of fertility coverage.

There will always be loopholes and companies that try to help their employees in creative ways. For intended parents, that could mean your employer covering specific parts of your journey.

For example, here are a few ways surrogate expenses can be covered:

Surrogate's Existing Insurance

Some surrogates will already have insurance that covers pregnancy. However, surrogacy insurance doesn't fit neatly into all plans. You will need to vet any potential surrogate's insurance plan before moving forward with them.

Purchased Surrogacy Insurance

If your surrogate does not have a plan that covers her while pregnant with your child, intended parents often purchase their own insurance policy to cover her. Maternity insurance is one of the most costly and unpredictable expenses.

Your Employer Offers Fertility Benefits

As mentioned above, many employers are now offering fertility benefits to help their employees grow their families. This benefit typically covers specific parts of the surrogacy process or entire IVF cycles.

Your Insurance Covers IVF

Speaking of IVF, intended parents can often get their own insurance plans to cover at least a portion of the process. Just like surrogates, you will need to review your insurance policy.

Covering the Cost: Smart Ways To Manage Expenses

Now that the costs associated with surrogacy have been covered, let's talk about how to manage them.

Finding the money to pay for a surrogate can feel impossible. But you'd be surprised at some of the options available to you as you begin your journey.

Here are a few ideas:

Surrogacy Grants

There are organizations out there that will give you free money to pay for surrogacy. Search for "surrogacy grants" and do your due diligence when applying.

Financing Options

Some agencies offer financing options that allow you to pay for your journey over time. This is basically just setting up a payment plan.

Fertility Loans

Similar to financing options, there are companies that provide loans to help intended parents cover the cost of fertility treatments.

Employer Benefits

As covered previously, some employers will offer fertility benefits for their employees. These can cover everything from medical costs to agency fees.

And don't forget about location…

Choosing where you live and travel to for your surrogacy journey matters. Each state has drastically different costs associated with surrogacy. Some states like California and New York are more expensive because the laws are very surrogacy friendly. Families who live in these states typically have higher incomes.

If you're looking for cheaper states, consider traveling to surrogacy hubs in the Midwest or Southeast regions of the country.

Bringing Everything Together

Surrogacy is a big decision, and understanding your expenses should be one of the first things you do when learning about the journey.

Here's your checklist:

• Understand the full cost range before beginning your journey.

• Don't trust insurance providers! Have them review your policy.

• Look into your options for grants, loans, and benefits to help with the financial burden.

• Some states are more affordable than others. Choose wisely.

• And always budget for the unexpected. You'll thank yourself later.

At the end of the day, surrogacy expense coverage can seem intimidating when you're just getting started. But take a deep breath. You are not alone, and there are tons of options available for those looking to learn.

With a better understanding of the surrogacy process, costs, and financial preparation, welcoming your child into this world is one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Here are some other articles related to your search:

• Creating Lasting Memories: Maternity Photo Shoot Planning Essentials
• Los Angeles Surrogacy: What Prospective Parents Need to Know
• How Surrogacy Solutions Support Both Intended Parents and Surrogates