Surrogacy helps intended parents achieve the dream of parenthood when pregnancy is not medically possible due to health issues. However, beyond the emotional aspect, couples must consider the major financial investment involved. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, of India, provides guidelines for surrogacy practice, and only altruistic surrogacy is permitted. It means that the surrogate mother will receive no financial benefits, but expenses related to healthcare and insurance are permissible. It covers expenses like IVF, medicine costs, pre-conception medical tests, antenatal checkups, delivery, and insurance. The total cost will also involve documentation charges and other related fees.
The total cost is estimated to be several lakhs, depending on the nature of the case. Let’s break down some of the major costs associated with surrogacy in India.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Surrogacy in India?
Several factors can affect surrogacy cost in India. Some of them may include:
1. Location of the Fertility Clinic
The cost may vary depending on the city where the fertility clinic is located. Clinics in big metropolitan cities may charge more for consultations, laboratory work, procedures, and hospital stays. Additionally, travel and accommodation costs can be included in the surrogacy cost.
2. Choice of Fertility Clinic
Fertility clinics differ in their cost packages and services, doctors’ experience, and laboratory facilities and equipment. Carefully evaluate all services included in the package, since some clinics charge separately for IVF procedures, medicines, and tests.
3. Number of IVF Attempts
The number of IVF attempts may affect the overall surrogacy cost. In case of the failure of the first attempt at transferring the embryos, the couple may need an additional round of treatment or frozen embryo transfer.
4. Medical Needs
Each process of surrogacy is unique, and there may be additional procedures for fertility, diagnosis, genetic testing, or other specialized medical attention needed by some families, which may add to the total cost.
5. Mother’s Health
It may also happen that the health of the surrogate mother before and during the pregnancy will have an impact on the cost. Regular consultations, medication, ultrasounds, or additional specialist consultations are part of regular pregnancy expenses.
6. Pregnancy and Birth
The pregnancy itself may also affect the cost. A normal pregnancy will include regular prenatal care, while in case of any complications, additional consultations, medications, or even hospitalization might be required.
Major Costs Involved in Surrogacy
There are many costs associated with surrogacy, including those relating to IVF, medical examinations, surrogate care, insurance, childbirth, lawyers’ services, travel and unforeseen medical costs.
1. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Embryo Creation
The IVF procedure is often one of the main medical costs associated with gestational surrogacy. These include costs for ovarian stimulation medications, egg retrieval, fertilisation and embryo culture, among others. Additional procedures such as ICSI or embryo cryopreservation could add to the cost of the IVF procedure.
2. Medical Screening and Examinations
There is always a need for medical screening before and during the surrogacy procedure. This could include blood tests, scans, fertility evaluations and other tests that may be needed by the intended parents and the surrogate mother depending on their particular medical situations.
3. Medications
Medications can make up a significant portion of the total treatment cost. This would include medications for IVF to stimulate egg production and prepare the endometrium for implantation. The surrogate would also need medications at various points in the procedure.
4. Medical Treatment of Surrogate Mother
The surrogate will need ongoing medical treatment during the course of the pregnancy. Expenses could include consultation fees, ultrasound scans, lab test fees, prescription medication, and other antenatal care. These could depend on the progress of the pregnancy.
5. Delivery and Hospitalization
Another cost to consider is delivery itself. Hospital fees depend on where and how long you stay in the hospital. In cases of complicated delivery, hospital fees may exceed initial estimates.
6. Insurance for Surrogate Mother
Insurance is an important component of the surrogacy process in India. Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, the law provides for insurance for the surrogate mother during the prescribed period. Premiums and insurance cover may depend on the insurance plan chosen.
7. Legal & Documentation Fees
Surrogacy will require some legal and documentation expenses. The amount of such expenses may vary depending on the complexity of the case.
8. Travel and Accommodation Costs
In case you have to travel from one city to another to get fertility treatment, it is important to factor in travel and accommodation costs too. These costs can increase with repeated trips to the clinic.
9. Unforeseen Medical Costs
Having an emergency fund to meet unforeseen medical costs is a good idea. There may be additional tests, medicine, hospitalization, or an extra embryo transfer, which will add to your total cost of treatment.
What Happens If There Are Medical Complications?
Medical problems are a major factor that may require a budget revision. During pregnancy, there may be the need for additional monitoring, medication, consultations by specialists, and even hospital admission. It may also lead to preterm delivery or a Caesarean section. All of these may increase medical bills.
This is where good financial planning becomes crucial. The couple might have budgeted for a typical pregnancy and delivery but not for the likelihood of additional care. Surrogacy insurance can help reduce financial uncertainty, though coverage depends on the policy terms. Couples should review their insurance policy terms carefully to understand the coverage details.
Does Surrogate Mother Insurance Help With These Costs?
Yes, surrogate mother insurance is one way to mitigate specific medical and pregnancy risks. This is especially true since the insurance cover provided to the surrogate is one of the elements of the law that guides surrogacy in India. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act mentions that there has to be insurance cover for the surrogate mother for 36 months for the risks prescribed, including post-delivery complications.
It is important to understand the purpose of the insurance cover. Surrogate insurance cover is not meant to cover all costs associated with the full surrogacy journey. Costs like IVF, legal services, and intended parents’ medical costs may not be included in that specific surrogate insurance policy. Therefore, check the policy before starting any surrogacy treatment. The couple should check the policy’s cover amount, covered complications, hospitalisation benefit, exclusions, policy duration, and claims procedure.
How Can Couples Plan Financially for Surrogacy?
Planning your finances before engaging in surrogacy can help you organize expenses and prepare for any medical costs that may arise.
- Create a comprehensive budget
- Have an emergency fund ready
- Get to know about the cost of IVF
- Find out if your insurance covers surrogacy
- Obtain an estimate in writing
- Take into account multiple attempts
- Record all the expenses
You should also review the budget regularly during the surrogacy process. Procedure costs may change, which could cause the couple to run out of money for further medical expenses.
Surrogacy Cost vs IVF Cost: Are They the Same?
No. IVF is different from surrogacy from a cost standpoint.
- IVF is a procedure, whereas surrogacy involves more than just IVF, along with the costs related to the pregnancy, the delivery process and all other factors. For example, one IVF cycle costs ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh at most private Indian clinics, depending on location and the treatment chosen.
- The cost of surrogacy, however, will be higher because a different person will carry the baby. Thus, the overall budget must cover the medical and other costs associated with the surrogate, including delivery, insurance, and other expenses.
- It is also worth mentioning the fact that there is a different legal aspect of surrogacy in India, as it is now prohibited. Thus, one should not think of surrogacy in commercial terms.
So, IVF can become part of the surrogacy cost but not the whole cost of surrogacy.
Conclusion
In summary, the cost of surrogacy in India extends far beyond that of the IVF procedure alone. Many factors need to be taken into consideration in addition to the treatment itself, including fertility treatment, medications, medical examinations, care of the surrogate mother, delivery, insurance, legal documentation, as well as unforeseen costs. Planning helps keep costs under control. Compare written quotes, confirm what the treatment package includes, and secure the necessary insurance before starting the process.
For couples looking for specialized insurance for the surrogate mother, SafeTree offers surrogate insurance coverage.
FAQs
1. Does insurance cover surrogacy expenses?
Some insurance plans will cover some surrogacy fees, especially the fees associated with the surrogate mother’s pregnancy, delivery and complications arising after birth. But they may not automatically cover IVF or legal fees, among other costs.
2. Is IVF included in the cost of surrogacy?
IVF is mostly involved in gestational surrogacy, as the embryo is usually created using assisted reproductive technology and then implanted in the surrogate. It is not always included in surrogacy fees.
3. Why is financial planning important before surrogacy?
Financial planning matters because it helps the couple prepare for known and unexpected expenses. There is usually more than one IVF procedure involved, plus complications and other expenses that might arise during treatment.
Disclaimer –
This blog is for general informational and educational purposes only. The information provided here should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Before making any decisions related to health conditions, symptoms, or treatments, readers are advised to consult a qualified healthcare professional.
The information related to insurance is provided for general guidance only. Before choosing any insurance policy, readers should consult our insurance experts to receive detailed advice based on their individual needs and requirements.
