How to Pay for Your Surrogacy Journey

If you're researching how to pay for surrogacy, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the emotional and financial unknowns of the journey ahead. As an Intended Parent trying to build your family, understanding surrogacy costs and your full range of surrogacy financing options is a key factor before starting.

This article will hopefully break down typical surrogacy expenses, financing options, insurance considerations and how to budget realistically so you can move forward with financial confidence.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?

It's no surprise to learn that surrogacy is a significant investment, and the most common question for Intended Parents is “how do I pay for surrogacy”. This is important to know before committing. While costs vary by location, agency, and medical need, most Intended Parents can expect to spend $150,000 - $250,000+

Here’s a clear breakdown of what those expenses usually include:

1. Agency Fees

Surrogacy agencies like Hatch will coordinate the entire process, including matching, screening, counseling, legal arrangements, and ongoing support. These fees typically range from $30,000 - $50,000+ depending on your agency.

2. Surrogate Compensation

Hatch believes in a fixed model compensation package for our Surrogates and only varies based on if she has prior surrogate experience or lives in California or New York. Other agencies have large compensation ranges and can vary based on experience, location, medical history and surrogacy requirements. To understand what Surrogates earn—and how compensation protects their financial stability—see Hatch’s detailed guide on Surrogate compensation.

3. Medical Costs

Medical expenses often make up the largest portion of the budget and may include a variety of the following:

•       IVF and embryo transfer
•       Egg donor screening and procedures
•       Surrogate medical screening
•       Prenatal care and delivery
•       Medication and local monitoring

Unexpected complications can also increase costs, which is why many Intended Parents look to Hatch & PFCLA for our all-inclusive surrogacy, egg donation and medical packages. Learn more about our Peace of Mind Package.

4. Legal Fees

Each party (Intended Parent, Surrogate & Egg Donor) requires separate legal representation to ensure rights, responsibilities, and parental establishment are properly addressed. At Hatch, we understand this can be difficult to find the right attorney for you so will assist in finding a third party attorney but include all legal costs within our Peace of Mind programs.

5. Additional Costs

Other expenses may include:

•       Travel costs
•       Insurance premiums
•       Lost wages for Surrogates
•       Maternity clothing stipends
•       Escrow management fees

Understanding these details upfront helps eliminate surprise expenses—one of the biggest concerns you can face on your journey! It's often these "additional costs” that Intended Parents don't factor into their budgets and can be the biggest unplanned surprises along the way.

At Hatch we cover all of these experiences in our Fixed Fee and Peace of Mind programs to ensure as an Intended Parent you are not put in a position where unexpected expenses build up during your journey.

How to Pay for Surrogacy

When Intended Parents search for how to pay for surrogacy, often they can be stressed after years of fertility treatment expenses or the overwhelming feeling of finding out how much each step costs. Thankfully, several financing paths can help make surrogacy more achievable. Hatch is more than happy to provide guidance on all the third party options available.

1. Surrogacy Loans

Many Intended Parents use surrogacy loans designed specifically for fertility and reproductive care. These loans typically offer:

•       Fixed interest rates
•       Monthly payment plans
•       No prepayment penalties

They can come from:

•       Fertility-focused lenders
•       Medical financing companies

Hatch is proud to be a key partner with Sunfish financing, you can learn more about them HERE

2. Personal Loans or Home Equity Loans

Some families choose:

•       Personal loans for quick funding
•       Home equity loans or HELOCs for lower interest rates

These options can offer more flexible repayment structures than surrogacy-specific financing.

3. Employer Fertility Benefits

More and more companies now offer family building and reproductive benefits, these are some of the most common ways we see Intended Parents secure financial support. Some of the best family building and fertility benefit providers are Progyny, Carrot and WINfertility.

Coverage and reimbursements can cover everything from agency fees, legal, medical, Surrogate and donor compensation and much more. If you’re unsure whether your employer offers this, contact your HR or benefits team and ask about fertility or family-building benefits.

Does your company make the list of best companies with surrogacy benefits - Top companies with family building benefits

Does Insurance Pay for Surrogacy?

Many Intended Parents ask: “Does insurance pay for surrogacy?” The answer: sometimes—partially. Coverage varies widely.

Insurance May Cover:

•       The Surrogate’s pregnancy-related medical care, if her policy allows it
•       Intended Parents' fertility treatments (e.g., IVF) depending on clinic or reimbursement allowances

Insurance Does Not Cover:

•       Surrogate compensation
•       Agency fees
•       Legal fees
•       Non-medical surrogacy costs

Because insurance can be confusing and coverage gaps are common, many Intended Parents seek programs that offer clear fixed pricing with now variable options.

One standout option is Hatch’s Peace of Mind Program—an all-inclusive, fixed-cost package designed to eliminate surprise medical or non-medical expenses.

Financial Risks to Prepare For

Surrogacy & Egg Donation is typically smooth, but when  you’re working with an agency that does not have a fixed fee or non variable cost structure, financial risks are much more likely to occur. These can include:

•       Failed embryo transfers
•       Medical complications requiring extended care
•       Insurance claim denials
•       Legal disputes
•       Unexpected lost wages
•       Rematching with a Surrogate or an egg donor

This is where secure escrow management becomes essential. A reputable agency will use a third-party escrow service to protect both the Surrogate and Intended Parents through transparent fund distribution and dispute resolution. Hatch proudly partners with Seed Trust.

Ethical Considerations in Surrogacy Financing

When learning how to pay for surrogacy, you should also feel confident that:

•       Surrogates & Egg Donors are fairly compensated
•       Their rights are protected
•       Financial agreements are transparent
•       No one is exploited during the process

Working with experienced, ethical agencies is vital for maintaining fairness and safety for everyone involved.

Final Thoughts

Many families fear they’ll face endless bills or surprise costs—especially if they have spent years paying for unsuccessful fertility treatments. That’s why programs like Hatch’s all-inclusive Peace of Mind Program are so impactful: they simplify surrogacy financing and eliminate uncertainty.

If you’re exploring how to pay for surrogacy, remember that you’re not alone—and there are options, support systems, and financing paths that can help you move forward.

With more than 35 years of experience and a 99%+ success rate, Hatch’s program helps families manage costs with confidence and transparency.

To learn more you can click HERE to book your complimentary consultation.