Health Insurance for Surrogates: What You Need to Know

Health insurance is one of the most important — and often most confusing — aspects of surrogacy. This guide explains how insurance works for surrogates, who pays, and what happens if your current insurance doesn’t cover surrogacy.

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Key Takeaways

• Intended parents are responsible for all pregnancy-related medical costs
• Some personal health insurance plans cover surrogacy pregnancies; many don’t
• If your insurance excludes surrogacy, a surrogacy-specific policy will be purchased for you
• You’ll never pay out-of-pocket for surrogacy medical expenses
• ACA plans cannot exclude pregnancy coverage, but may exclude surrogacy specifically

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Does Your Insurance Cover Surrogacy?

The first step is reviewing your current health insurance policy. Here’s what to look for:

Policies That Typically Cover Surrogacy

• Employer-sponsored plans without surrogacy exclusion language
• Some ACA marketplace plans (they must cover pregnancy, but may have surrogacy-specific exclusions)
• Union plans — many cover surrogacy

Policies That Typically Don’t Cover Surrogacy

• Plans with explicit “surrogacy exclusion” clauses
• Some HMO plans
• Medicaid / government-funded insurance
• Short-term health plans

How to Check

1. Review your Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC)
2. Search for keywords: “surrogacy,” “gestational carrier,” “surrogate”
3. Call the member services number and ask directly
4. Have your agency or attorney review the policy

Important: Do NOT call your insurance company and mention surrogacy until you’ve discussed it with your agency. Some companies have flagged members’ accounts after such inquiries.

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Insurance Scenarios

Scenario 1: Your Insurance Covers Surrogacy

If your current plan covers surrogacy pregnancy:

• You’ll use your existing insurance for prenatal care and delivery
• Intended parents may reimburse you for any premium increases
• Copays and deductibles are paid by the intended parents
• A gap insurance policy may still be purchased for additional coverage

Scenario 2: Your Insurance Excludes Surrogacy

If your plan has a surrogacy exclusion:

• The intended parents will purchase a surrogacy-specific insurance policy for you
• These plans typically cost $15,000 - $30,000 (paid by intended parents)
• Coverage begins before the embryo transfer
• Covers all pregnancy-related care through post-partum recovery

Scenario 3: You Don’t Have Insurance

If you’re currently uninsured:

• A comprehensive surrogacy insurance plan will be purchased for you
• All costs are covered by the intended parents
• You may also receive coverage for non-pregnancy related issues during the surrogacy period

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What’s Covered?

Regardless of the insurance arrangement, your surrogacy-related medical expenses include:

• Fertility clinic appointments and procedures
• Embryo transfer and related medications
• All prenatal care visits
• Lab work and diagnostic tests
• Hospital stay for delivery
• Complications if they arise
• Post-partum care (typically 6-8 weeks)

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Life Insurance

In addition to health insurance, a life insurance policy is typically taken out in your name as part of the surrogacy agreement:

• Coverage amount: Usually $250,000 - $750,000
• Beneficiary: Your family/dependents
• Duration: From embryo transfer through 2-3 months post-delivery
• Cost: Paid by the intended parents

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will surrogacy affect my future insurance rates?

No. The pregnancy is covered under a separate arrangement, and your personal insurance history should not be affected.

What if I have complications after the surrogacy?

Your surrogacy contract specifies a post-delivery coverage period (typically 6-8 weeks). Any complications that arise from the surrogacy pregnancy during this period are covered.

Can I keep my own doctor?

Usually yes, as long as they accept the insurance being used for the surrogacy and are comfortable with surrogacy pregnancies.

What about the baby’s insurance?

The baby is covered under the intended parents’ insurance. This is separate from your coverage.

Do I need to disclose that I’m a surrogate to my insurance?

This depends on your policy. Your surrogacy attorney will advise you on disclosure requirements. Some policies require notification, while others don’t need to know as long as they’re not being billed for surrogacy-related care.