Egg Donation and Surrogacy Costs at an IVF Clinic

Many people who ultimately go on to build their families through third party reproduction have spent months or even years attempting conception at an IVF clinic. During that time, strong bonds and relationships often form with the doctors, nurses and support staff involved in their care. These professionals are there for you when the pregnancy test comes back negative, or a fledgling pregnancy ends. 

Pursuing an egg donor or surrogacy cycle through your IVF clinic may feel like a natural next step. You may also start your journey, knowing you need third party reproduction, at an IVF clinic. You can find your ideal egg donor or surrogate on YouMeMine and connect with resources like clinics and reproductive attorneys. After all, it takes a village. It also takes money.       

In this, the third part of YouMeMine’s series on financing egg donor and surrogacy journeys, we reached out to Lisa Aldana, Financial Counselor at Reproductive Partners Medical Group, Inc.  to learn how people undergoing egg donation and/or surrogacy through their IVF clinic go about funding the journey. Here’s what she had to say.

YMM - What IVF clinic related costs are associated with egg donation and surrogacy for intended parents? 

LA - On the medical side, it’s hard to give an exact estimate for the screenings and testing required for an egg donor and gestational carrier (surrogate). Some donors and surrogates have already gone through the process and will have at least some medical records that can be used. This is often a cost savings for the intended parents. The doctor will determine the necessary testing and screenings that are required to safely proceed. Patients also have the option to purchase frozen eggs from an egg bank.  This is usually half the cost of a fresh donor cycle but can be limited on donor selection. Some ballpark figures are: 

Egg Donor Cycle

• IVF frozen donor egg cycle without PGT-A testing – approx. $15,000 - $16,000
• IVF frozen donor egg cycle with PGT-A testing and biopsy for eight embryos – approx. $20,000 - $21,000 (cost varies, based on the number of embryos being tested)
• Fertility medications for a frozen donor egg cycle – approx. $4,000 - $6,000
• Screenings and pre-testing can vary and are an additional cost

Frozen Embryo Transfer 

• Frozen embryo transfer – approx. $2,500 - $3,000
• Fertility medications for a frozen embryo transfer – approx. $500 - $1,500

IVF Egg Donor Fresh Cycle

• Fresh egg donor cycle with transfer – approx. $17,500
• Fertility medication for donor – approx. $4,000 - $6,000
• Fertility medication for intended parent – approx. $500 - $1,500
• Screenings, pre-cycle testing and post-cycle testing can vary and are an additional cost 

Surrogacy Cycle (does not include the costs required by a surrogacy agency or reproductive attorney)

• If the intended parents already have frozen embryos, the fee for a frozen embryo transfer with a surrogate is approx. $5,200
• Fertility medications for the surrogate (these prepare the uterine lining for implantation, increasing the chance of having a successful embryo transfer) – approx. $500 - $1,500
• Screenings, pre-cycle testing and post-cycle testing can vary and carry additional costs

YMM - How do intended parents fund their journey?

LA - Most patients pay by credit card. Some get financing. At my clinic, we work with Capex MD and Lending Club. If asked, most centers can provide a list of lenders they work with for financing options. Patients can also seek outside financing, such as through credit unions or personal loans. Some have support from family members. Another option is to use an equity line of credit or pension account, like a 401K.  

YMM - What are the advantages and disadvantages of these different sources?

LA -

• Advantage of paying by credit card: Most credit cards will provide perks, such as miles or cash back. Intended parents can ask their credit card company for 0% interest for 6 months if their credit card company provides that option.
• Advantages of financing treatment:  You can make payments over time, which allows intended parents to move forward with treatment, without having the funds needed upfront. You may need established credit to take advantage of this option. 
• Disadvantage of financing: A loan will charge interest rates based on your credit and debt ratio.  interest rates can vary.

YMM - How do intended parents find out about the costs they will incur and their financing options for paying?

LA - Once a patient has a consultation with the doctor and has an established treatment plan, I will go over the costs with the patients. Most fertility centers have a Financial Counselor available. I also provide information about the lenders we work with, so the patient can contact them directly. Agency fees are separate.  Some of the agencies will provide financing options of their own that intended parents can use.

YMM - If you could ensure that intended parents knew anything about the cost or process of financing their fertility journey, what would you want them to know? 

LA - I would advise that they speak with their IVF clinic’s financial counselor early on in the process, so they’re aware of the fees they will incur, prior to reaching out to the agency.  

If the intended parent(s) need surrogacy, it’s best for them to ensure they have embryos, before they bring in a surrogate for testing and screening. I do advise they contact the agency for fees to see if this is something they can afford.

YMM - What helpful hints do you have for intended parents to help them budget for and fund their egg donation and/or surrogacy journey? 

LA - 

• Reach out to credit card companies to negotiate rates/zero interest options 
• Obtain a list of lenders from your IVF clinic and research the rates and terms
• Think outside the box for other resources that may be available to you, such as family support, equity line of credit, 401K options
• If you know you’ll need third party reproduction, start saving for the journey early

YMM: What other questions should Intended parents ask an IVF clinic regarding financing/cost? 

LA -  

• Some IVF clinics have their embryology lab, surgical center and anesthesia as separate entities. I would make sure the estimate includes these and any other fees.  
• It’s hard to narrow down pretesting and screening because that does vary. 
• Medications are paid to an outside pharmacy, but the center can provide a range of costs to expect, once a medication protocol has been established.  
• I would also make sure the patients know that the fees for the agency, donor, surrogate, legal fees and mental health experts are separate, and not included in the medical fees. 
• Most centers will provide a list of reputable companies and contacts as a resource.

YMM - What resources do IVF clinics offer to help intended parents plan for/budget their egg donation or surrogacy journey? 

LA - We do provide a list of lenders we work with. We provide fees in advance so patients can plan for their journey.  This can be a stressful process I always tell patients to take this process one step at a time. 

Lisa Aldana is a Financial Counselor at Reproductive Partners Medical Group, Inc.