Surrogacy Costs: A Guide for Intended Parents
One of the most frequently asked questions from intended parents is, “How much does surrogacy cost?” This is, unfortunately, a difficult question to answer because many steps in the process involve variable factors that can alter the cost of a surrogacy journey.
We’ve broken down the costs by milestone and have included details that can give you an idea of what may increase or decrease your expenses. The cost timeline also outlines when certain amounts will be due.
The estimates reflect our Full Surrogacy Services, in which the client retains the agency, and we are responsible for finding a surrogate if we do not currently have the right match. The steps do not always occur in this order. At Heartland Surrogacy, variable surrogate fees, such as the fee for embryo transfer, loss of organs, etc., are set by the surrogate and agreed to during the contract stage. The approximate costs below reflect Midwest regional standards. Aside from agency and surrogate fees, all expenses are made to third-party providers.
Before Matching
Embryo creation is often the first step in a surrogacy journey. Many medical insurance policies do not cover these procedures, so intended parents often pay for them out of pocket. Prices and procedures vary across fertility clinics; some may offer discount packages for multiple services. While we have many Intended Parents come to us with embryos created or in process, you can also sign on with our agency prior to choosing a clinic or creating embryos.
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Basic IVF cycle: $10,000-$15,000
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Medication: $3,000-$5,000
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Preimplantation genetic screening: $4,000-$5,000
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Donor material (egg, sperm, embryo): $10,000+ for medical, compensation, travel, etc. [This amount is not included in the total estimation.]
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Agency retainer and initial screening: $2,500
Matching
After a successful match meeting, your surrogate (and her partner, if applicable) will need to complete psychological and medical evaluations. The appointments will include a combination of psychological interviews, psychological testing, blood work, and physical exams as determined by your fertility clinic. Invasive procedures for the surrogate candidate, such as a sonohysterogram, will involve compensation. Expenses can also include travel expenses, lost wages, and childcare costs.
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Invasive procedure fee: $250
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Psychological evaluation: $500
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Medical evaluation: $1,500-$2,500
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Travel expenses, lost wages, childcare costs: varies
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First agency fee installment: $6,500
Contracts
Once your surrogate is medically cleared, you will need to retain attorneys for your journey. Typically, the intended parents’ attorney drafts the surrogate contract for a flat fee and the surrogate’s attorney reviews it at an hourly rate. A good match typically results in less deliberation, which helps minimize legal expenses.
After signing the contract, you will need to secure an escrow service and fund the account. Most surrogacy agreements require that the account be funded with the surrogate’s full compensation, maximum out-of-pocket amounts, health insurance premiums, if applicable, and an additional “cushion” to cover variable or unexpected expenses.
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Contract drafting and reviewing: $3,000
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Escrow management: $1,850
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Escrow account funding: $60,000-$80,000
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Second agency fee installment: $5,000
Transfer
Your surrogate’s transfer fee and expenses (travel, lost wages, childcare) will be drawn from the escrow account during the transfer stage. You can expect to pay for the medical care directly to your clinic. Depending on your surrogate’s location, monitoring appointments may be at a different clinic.
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Medication start fee: $1,000
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Transfer and best rest fee: $1,000
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Travel expenses, lost wages, childcare costs: varies
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Pregnancy clothes allowance: $500
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Embryo transfer clinic fees: $1,500-$2,000
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Monitoring clinic fees: $5,000
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Life insurance Premiums (12 months): $200-$400
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Health insurance premiums (12 months): $4,800-$7,000
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Health insurance maximum out of pocket: $1,000-$8,000
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Surrogate allowance (12 months): $2,400
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Third agency fee installment: $5,000
Pregnancy
Your surrogate’s compensation and personal expenses will be drawn from the escrow account during pregnancy. Near the end of the pregnancy, the attorneys will start the paperwork to establish parentage.
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Parentage documents: $2,500-$3,000
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Transfer and best rest fee: $1,000
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Second-parent adoption (if applicable): $1,000-$1,500
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Medical billing management: varies
Birth and Postpartum
Approximate delivery expenses are included in the initial escrow account funding. The escrow agent/company and Heartland Surrogacy will monitor the minimum level of funding in your account. Postpartum lost wages and related expenses, as detailed in your contract, are also drawn from the account. Escrow stays open for a minimum of 6 weeks postpartum. Our agency ensures that all surrogate-related bills are paid for before it is closed. All newborn medical care is the responsibility of the parents and is billed separately.
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Postpartum fees (lost wages, childcare, additional compensation for medical procedures or complications, etc.): varies
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Pumped Milk: $250/week
