As you begin to think about building your family and becoming a dad, one of the first questions that comes up is financing — how much is this going to cost? Is your insurance going to cover this, and if not, what resources are there to tap into? At Gay Parents To Be and RMA of Connecticut, we understand that this is a big hurdle for many hopeful dads. Our team is here to help you overcome it.
After your initial consultation, your dedicated Insurance and Billing Advocate will reach out to you to do a benefits check, discuss your personal coverage, and explain the financial plans that we offer. Although insurance coverage and the cost of each journey varies from patient to patient, below, you will find a resource guide complete with a list of FAQs to help you understand the costs.
agency fees.
legal fees.
If you're doing research on IVF clinics and associated costs, you may notice that there seems to be a broad range - this is normal! Clinic costs vary based on your personal fertility journey, as well as your benefits and insurance coverage. If you're planning out your surrogacy budget, the IVF clinic costs typically range from $29,000 - $50,000.
Your fertility clinic and it's staff will help you with many steps during your surrogacy journey, including:
Many clinics now offer versions of a guarantee plan, a higher cost may cover multiple or unlimited embryo transfers. For some dads-to-be, this option offers financial security when budgeting for surrogacy.
If you're worried about the IVF costs for a surrogacy journey, learn more about fertility insurance for the LGBTQ community and family building grants here.
Egg donors are typically compensated between $6,000 and $15,000. This might seem like a lot of money, but it's important to remember that your donor plays an important role in your family building journey!
In order to pass egg donor screening, a donor has to complete the following tests:
Choosing a donor from your clinic's in-house donor pool (if available) can typically offer a lower-cost donor option. For dads with specific criteria for their egg donor (graduate degree, specific height, hair or eye color) egg donor agencies may provide more choices. However, keep in mind that working with an egg donor agency will have associated fees.
Learn more about how to choose the right donor for you
The fees paid to your surrogacy agency (if you choose to work with one) are one of the larger "costs buckets" involved in the surrogacy process, and that's because your agency is responsible for many different tasks!
When looking into agency costs and associated fees, you should be critical and ask questions! This agency fees chart is a good place to start when asking your agency what is included and what costs you should expect outside of their fee structure.
Surrogate compensation can range from $25,000-$76,000, depending on a variety of factors including:
Choosing your surrogate is a big decision, with many factors to consider, but don't worry, your team at your surrogacy agency is there to guide you through the process! Click to learn more about choosing and connecting with your surrogate.
I’ve just started thinking about building my family. What is the first step I should take in regards to financial planning and understanding insurance coverages?
The best way to verify your own coverage is always going to be to call the number on the back of your insurance card, but some things that may be covered by insurance are:
I know my biological family building pathway is going to involve an egg donor and a surrogate – will my insurance cover this?
Insurance policies are all different, and again – the best way to know understand your benefits is to call your insurance company directly. However, a growing number of companies offer surrogacy benefits for the LGBTQ community. There may also be an opportunity for reimbursement for a surrogacy cycle.
What questions should I ask when I call my insurance company?
Be sure to ask what fertility coverage is offered on this plan. In addition, it’s important to ask:
And remember — your financial advocate at Gay Parents To Be can help you understand your costs and coverage.
If my company offers IVF or surrogacy benefits for women or hetero couples, will they reimburse me for a surrogacy journey as a dad to be?
This is a complex question, and a great one to ask of your HR department. You may be able to provide documentation to support your claim, but this would be on a case by case basis. Check out our blog, 4 Family-Building Questions To Ask Your HR Department, to jumpstart this conversation.
Are there any insurance companies that offer insurance benefits for LGBTQ individuals and couples?
Companies such as Progyny offer coverage for dads to be, including some components of an IVF and surrogacy journey. And don’t worry, many dads-to -be have a primary insurance carrier, as well as their Progyny policy. You can learn more here.
Are there additional costs that I’m going to need to budget for?
The costs paid to and through your surrogacy agency and/or reproductive attorney are not covered by insurance – these vary based on the services provided and the agency you choose.
Additionally, many dads cover travel costs and expenses incurred by their gestational carrier related to the pregnancy — such as prenatal vitamins. If your surrogate does not live in your local area, travel costs may also play into your surrogacy budget.
What financial plans are offered through Gay Parents To Be and RMA of CT?
Our financial and billing advocates can walk you through both plans in more detail, but our pricing plans are now available online for your review!
We understand that the costs of surrogacy can seem overwhelming, but planning ahead, building a budget, and even taking out a loan are some ways that dads-to-be have made their dreams a reality.
Financial grants and assistance for members of the LGBTQ community are another way that many dads have been able to take these surrogacy steps.
Click through for a complete list of LGBTG-friendly grants & charities for family building.
