How much does surrogacy cost?
This answer consists of many layers … the emotional and financial costs (in addition to the physical toll) all play an important role in how your gestational carrier journey unfolds. Unfortunately the emotional and physical aspects vary case by case. The financial cost is easier to share.
The first consideration is typically whether to involve a gestational carrier agency in your plans. You will find that costs vary from agency to agency, but you can expect to pay $15,000 to $30,000 for an agency to find you a gestational carrier. Trying to find your gestational carrier independently can alleviate some or all of those fees, but the process is not an easy one and you need to be prepared and have the time available to dedicate to the search process. Some agencies do offer a BYO (“bring your own”) gestational carrier arrangement, and for a small fee (usually $8,000 to $10,000) they will help you navigate through the pre-screening and medical/psychological screening of your potential carrier in addition to providing guidance throughout your journey.
Compensation for a first time gestational carrier typically starts at a base of $25,000. Each time a woman has delivered successfully as a gestational carrier, her base fee would increase by approximately $5,000. If she carries multiples for you, you can expect that additional fees would be between $3,000-5,000 per additional child.
From there, you can anticipate that you will have additional expenses, which should all be clearly defined in your gestational carrier agreement (the “Agreement”) between you and your carrier and her spouse. Some examples of typical fees are: start of medication fee, embryo transfer fee, maternity clothing allowance, cesarean section fee, and invasive procedure fees which may include amniocenteses, chronic villas sampling, reduction, termination and D&C fees. Many gestational carriers may also request a monthly allowance which would take the place of paying separately for mileage, tolls, childcare, phone expense, etc.
Lost wages for the gestational carrier and her husband will be itemized in the Agreement, and should have an overall maximum. Health and life insurance premiums may be paid by the intended parents. All medical expenses not covered by insurance or those for your gestational carrier’s monitoring appointments and fertility medications are out of pocket costs that will be paid by the intended parents. The same is true for the gestational carrier’s attorney fees as well as any cost involved with the legal process of a pre or post birth order and/or second or step parent adoption processes if necessary.
Intended parents anticipate that these additional expenses, beyond your gestational carriers compensation, may range $15,000-20,000, and the costs may be higher should the gestational carrier be experienced and/or have a higher than average salary. Most arrangements require that an escrow management company be obtained to manage the expenses of your surrogacy. Typically once your Agreement is signed you will be required to deposit funds to cover your gestational carrier’s compensation and other fees/expenses of the gestational carrier arrangement. As time progresses, intended parents may be required to add more funds should your balance not be sufficient to cover your costs throughout the pregnancy and delivery.
An experienced reproductive attorney should be guiding you through this legal process. The gestational carrier Agreement must be established between you and your gestational carrier. Your gestational carrier must have her own attorney representation. Your attorney will also be able to review your gestational carrier’s medical insurance plan to confirm that there are no exclusions for surrogacy.
Taking all of these services/expenses into account, we can estimate that this part of your gestational carrier journey will cost between $60-80,000. In addition, you will have expenses for the fertility clinic, and the egg donor if needed. These expenses can be between $30-50,000 if not paid for by the intended parents’ health insurance policy. Some fertility clinics offer package programs and it may be beneficial to gather information from multiple clinics before moving forward.
The attached table can help you visualize anticipated expenses through this wonderful life changing journey.
