The cost of surrogacy is high — but you won’t find a better ROI.
Most parents would agree that children are priceless—but no one would argue that having children is expensive. If you’re considering surrogacy, you may be wondering about the average cost of surrogacy, which includes surrogate compensation, surrogate health insurance and surrogacy medical expenses. In this blog, we’ll discuss the cost of surrogacy, as well as its benefits. At Newborn Advantage, we believe that while the cost of surrogacy is high, the return on your investment can be even higher.
“What you invest in surrogacy will yield a great return: a healthy pregnancy, live birth, and happy, healthy life for your child,” says Mindy Berkson, Surrogacy Consultant at Newborn Advantage. “Surrogacy is an investment in your family and your future. It is rewarding, and you will reap the value over time.”
What is the average cost of surrogacy?
The average cost of surrogacy is about $120,000 to 130,000. Below is a breakdown of some of the biggest expenses covered in that total, and what you will receive in return.
Medical expenses:
Surrogate medical expenses include medical screenings, creation of the embryos through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer fees. If your end family building goal is to have more than one child, this expense can be amortized over time, as you will control the disposition of all embryos created through IVF. Identifying a fertility center with above national average success rates is paramount to maximizing your IVF cycle and results.
Surrogacy Insurance Coverage:
The cost of surrogacy insurance coverage is high—but it is certainly worth the investment. The cost of a surrogate insurance policy includes a policy premium, and an additional charge per baby. Instead of transferring more than on embryo to a single surrogate, many parents choose to work with two surrogates and have two singleton pregnancies, which is healthier for the babies, as well as the surrogates. While you will pay more for insurance coverage with two surrogates, you will be paying for a reduced risk and healthier outcomes.
Surrogate Compensation:
Surrogate compensation starts at $30,000, and experienced surrogates will earn more. This does not include medical or other costs—this is purely surrogate compensation for the woman who will be devoting nearly a year of her life to carrying your child. When you think about it, it is a pretty unbelievable deal! At Newborn Advantage, we only work with the best surrogates, who have passed medical and psychological screenings, helping to give you the greatest advantage in conceiving a healthy child.
Legal Expenses:
Because surrogacy is a contractual arrangement, surrogacy legal expenses are important to consider. Attorney fees for intended parents start at $11,000 and vary greatly per state. Working with a surrogacy attorney ensures that your legal rights are protected while working with a surrogate. Your surrogacy attorney will also help navigate the legal processes in the state where your surrogate resides. Newborn Advantage specializes in gay surrogacy, and we partner with attorneys who understand legal issues for gay and lesbian parents. Legal expenses for surrogacy may seem steep, but if you don’t enlist the services of a surrogacy attorney, you may encounter legal issues that are much more expensive.
Surrogacy Agency Fees:
Agency fees start at $25,000. Why work with a surrogacy agency? Surrogacy agencies act as your advocate, protecting you from many of the risks of surrogacy. Given the costs of surrogacy, some intended parents may be curious about independent surrogacy cost. Potential clients often ask, “How much does surrogacy cost with a family member?” or, “What is the surrogacy cost with a friend?” In either of these scenarios, you could deduct the agency fees and the surrogate’s compensation, saving yourself approximately $55,000. If you’re feeling very risky, you might elect not to pay a surrogacy attorney, saving an additional $11,000 in surrogacy legal expenses.
But what happens if things don’t go as planned? Without a legal surrogacy agreement, who protects your rights in the surrogacy arrangement? And what about personal matters? What happens if the surrogate is unable to conceive, if you can’t agree on surrogate compensation, or if personal problems arise? While a surrogacy attorney handles legal arrangements, it is the role of the surrogacy agency to match you with a healthy surrogate who has an excellent chance of having a healthy child. It’s also our role to act as an intermediary between intended parents and surrogates, protecting your interests and helping navigate sensitive issues. If an intended match does not work out, we will re-match you at no additional charge. Think of the surrogacy agency fee as a price you pay for peace of mind, to help the surrogacy process go smoothly, and to avoid potential problems.
Invest in your Family
The cost of surrogacy gives many intended parents pause, but when you consider surrogacy as an investment, it is worth the cost. The joy of starting a family, creating an incredible bond with your children, and carrying on your legacy can’t be measured in dollars and cents. If you’re ready to become a parent and interested in gestational surrogacy, we can help. We look forward to hearing from you!