Given the high cost of gestational surrogacy, having a financial backup plan is crucial. The following will probably be included in that strategy in some combination:
Workplace Advantages
While it is uncommon for employers to give surrogacy coverage as part of their benefits package, Willis Towers Watson reports that in 2020, 9% of businesses did so and 29% were considering adding or improving their existing surrogacy benefits.
The vice president of client services at Rite Options says, “We have even had folks who have shifted careers to go to a workplace providing surrogacy benefits.”
Of the businesses that do offer surrogacy benefits, 70% have a median $10,000 reimbursement cap per child.
Health Protection
Even though most health insurance policies don’t cover the costs of surrogacy, many do offer some coverage for treatments needed by intended parents. If your carrier does not reside in your state, you might want to consider how your plan handles out-of-network physicians, as health insurance will also begin to pay for the baby’s bills after birth.
Individual Savings
If you know that surrogacy may play a role in your family’s history, routinely saving aside even small sums in a designated account might add up over time. According to Buckley, finding a donor can take 12 to 18 months, so you can carry on with this procedure even after you’ve started working with an agency.
Assistance From Friends or Family
Intended parents frequently ask their friends and relatives for financial assistance to meet the expense of a surrogate. According to Shamma, intended grandparents frequently assist their grandchildren with this expense if they can do so.
Grants
Several organizations offer grants to assist couples struggling with infertility. While some grants are intended to cover IVF procedures, others may cover costs associated with surrogacy.
Loans
Some fertility clinics collaborate with private lenders to make financing available to intended parents. A retirement plan or your home’s equity may also be used as collateral for a loan, though doing so could jeopardize your financial stability. If you choose this course of action, see a financial expert to develop a strategy for your future debt repayment.
Rite Options 