There are many questions surrounding surrogacy, including how to become a surrogate or the amount you can expect to pay for one. However, health insurance is one of the most important questions due to the expenses involved, which can add up to more than $20,000, on average, for a normal pregnancy. Let’s take a look at some of the more common questions surrounding surrogacy and health insurance.
Health Insurance Coverage for Surrogates
If you’re the surrogate, you should check your policy to ensure that it is a qualified plan with specific surrogacy insurance coverage. If it is, you’ll need to give consent to the intended parents to use it. Typically, your coverage pays for medical bills, with all other expenses paid by the intended parents. As well, surrogacy agencies will typically cover other costs associated with surrogacy, including travel, amniocentesis, and C-section.
Getting Covered if Your Plan Doesn’t Include Surrogacy
Non-qualified plans from small or individual agencies may not include surrogacy coverage, and may also state that the intended parents are responsible for all related costs. If you’re unsure about the language in your policy, seek the advice of an experienced legal or insurance broker. If you don’t have insurance, the intended parents will be responsible for all surrogacy costs.
Health Insurance Coverage for Intended Parents
If your chosen surrogate doesn’t have coverage, you can purchase surrogacy insurance via the Affordable Care Act during an open enrollment period. However, availability depends on the state in which your surrogate lives.
Surrogate-Specific and Secondary Coverage
You can also purchase surrogate-specific coverage via an individual plan. In addition, if the surrogate has sufficient coverage via her own plan, intended parents can purchase a secondary policy to ensure coverage in the event that the surrogate’s insurance company denies payment.
Alternatives to Surrogacy-Specific Policies
Purchasing discount coverage or a medical savings plan is another way to ensure payment of surrogacy pregnancy costs in the event that you are unable to obtain a surrogacy-specific policy. These types of plans can reduce your medical bills by as much as 60%. However, it’s important to check the details of coverage, because these plans are often not considered insurance coverage by themselves.
What if the Surrogate Is on Medicaid?
Another important question is how to become a surrogate when Medicaid is the only insurance coverage available. Because surrogates can receive between $25,000 and $30,000 in compensation, depending on the state, this amount can cause the strict limits on allowed earnings to maintain eligibility for coverage to be exceeded. Therefore, it’s recommended that she either be insured under the intended parents’ existing policy or have coverage purchased for her.
We Can Help You Find Your Perfect Match
Whether you are future parents looking for the ideal surrogate or want to give the gift of new life to a couple in need, you may have many questions. 3 Sisters Surrogacy is dedicated to helping surrogates and parents find each other. Start your journey with us.
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