This blogs was first published in May 2021 and updated in October 2025.
If you’re dreaming of growing your family through surrogacy, one of the first questions you might ask is: does Medicaid cover surrogacy? The answer is no, Medicaid does not pay for surrogacy expenses. That may feel like a tough reality, but understanding the “why” can help you plan your journey with clarity and peace of mind.
At Creative Love, we’ve walked alongside countless families, and we know these questions come from a place of hope mixed with worry. So let’s unpack Medicaid coverage, explore what insurance covers surrogacy, and share how you can still move forward with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Medicaid does not cover surrogacy costs, IVF services, or a surrogate pregnancy.
- Using Medicaid benefits for surrogacy would be considered insurance fraud.
- Agencies require surrogates to have financial stability and not depend on government assistance.
- Private health insurance plans may provide limited infertility treatments or maternity care, but coverage varies.
- Factors like marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and income level can all influence insurance coverage and surrogacy planning.
Does Medicaid Cover Surrogacy?
When families ask does Medicaid cover surrogacy, what they’re really asking is whether government assistance can lighten the financial load of a surrogate journey.
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for low-income individuals, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities. [Source]
It covers important medical treatments like maternity care, but it does not extend to surrogacy arrangements.
Think of it this way: Medicaid exists to ensure families with limited income can meet basic health needs.
It wasn’t designed to fund fertility treatments, IVF services, or surrogate compensation.
If someone tried to use Medicaid benefits for a surrogacy arrangement, it would actually be considered insurance fraud, with serious consequences like loss of benefits or even felony charges.
That’s why no ethical agency will ever match a surrogate who depends on Medicaid benefits.
Surrogates need to be financially secure and emotionally ready, not relying on government assistance. These are some of theimportant surrogate requirements that need to be met.
This ensures the journey is based on love and choice, not financial desperation.
Why Doesn’t Medicaid Cover a Surrogate Pregnancy?
You might wonder, ‘why doesn’t Medicaid cover surrogate pregnancy care if it covers maternity care for women who qualify‘?
The answer lies in Medicaid’s purpose. Medicaid helps individuals who are unable to afford private health insurance or employer insurance plans.
It does not provide coverage for elective services like IVF coverage or fertility preservation services.
A surrogacy arrangement is complex. It involves IVF treatments to create embryos, fertility services to transfer them, legal contracts, ongoing support, and compensation.
Medicaid coverage simply cannot provide for those expenses.
And here’s another layer, surrogate compensation counts as income. Even if it comes from an attorney-held trust and doesn’t show up on a 1099, Medicaid requires all income to be reported.
That means a surrogate who stays on Medicaid while receiving compensation risks losing eligibility and benefits.
Agencies like us here at Creative Love put these safeguards in place to protect everyone.
Intended parents want a surrogate who is financially stable and not at risk of losing health coverage during the pregnancy.
What Happens If I Keep My Medicaid Coverage as a Surrogate?
It’s natural to ask: what happens if I keep Medicaid coverage while being a surrogate?
The truth is, staying on Medicaid during a surrogate journey creates more problems than solutions.
Medicaid rules view all surrogate compensation as income.
If that income isn’t reported, it’s considered insurance fraud. If it is reported, the surrogate may lose Medicaid benefits altogether. Either way, it creates risk.
That’s why no reputable agency or clinic will move forward with a surrogate who relies on Medicaid coverage.
This ensures the surrogate journey stays safe, stable, and free from legal or financial stress.
The good news? Medicaid does not rule someone out forever.
Once a woman establishes financial stability, she can absolutely apply to become a surrogate later.
Intended parents often feel reassured knowing their surrogate partner comes from a place of independence and strength.
Does Insurance Cover Surrogacy?
If Medicaid doesn’t provide coverage, the next question is: does insurance cover surrogacy at all? The answer depends on the health insurance policy.
Some private insurance plans cover maternity care for a surrogate pregnancy, while others specifically exclude surrogacy.
Intended parents often need to review the surrogate’s health insurance policy carefully or purchase a separate plan.
Here are some possibilities:
- Fertility treatments – Certain insurance plans cover infertility treatments like intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization, sometimes up to three cycles. Many others exclude IVF services altogether.
- Maternity care: Some plans cover pregnancy and delivery, provided surrogacy isn’t excluded in the policy.
- Fertility preservation services: Insurance may step in for medically necessary fertility preservation, such as when reproductive organs are affected by surgery or gender affirming care.
- Employer plans: Large employers, such as Amazon and NVIDIA, often offer more generous health insurance coverage. [Source].This often includes fertility treatments as well as surrogacy focused benefits. [Source]
The bottom line is that insurance coverage for surrogacy varies widely. Families often need a mix of private insurance coverage, employer benefits, and personal funds to pay for the process.
The Bigger Picture of Insurance and Surrogacy
Questions like does Medicaid cover surrogate pregnancy or what insurance covers surrogacy reflect the very real stress families feel when navigating costs.
Surrogacy involves love and generosity, but it also requires careful planning around insurance coverage.
Infertility services, IVF coverage, and fertility treatments vary from one insurance plan to another.
Medicaid cannot provide coverage, but other options exist through employer health insurance policies or supplemental plans.
With the right planning, families can establish coverage for maternity care, medical treatments, and other key parts of the journey.
At Creative Love Egg Donor and Surrogacy Agency, we encourage families to see insurance planning as part of the process, not a roadblock. With the right guidance, the dream of parenthood stays within reach.
Creative Love’s Guidance on Insurance and Surrogacy
At Creative Love, we know surrogacy isn’t just about contracts and policies, it’s about connection, trust, and the deep longing to hold a child in your arms.
Insurance questions may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to sort them out alone.
We sit with families to explain health insurance coverage in simple terms.
We point out what’s included, what’s not, and what additional steps may help.
Our team works hand in hand with attorneys, clinics, and insurers so intended parents and surrogates feel supported.
Your surrogacy journey deserves clarity and care.
Whether you’re wondering about Medicaid coverage, reviewing your insurance plan, or exploring IVF coverage, Creative Love is here to guide you with compassion and expertise.
Summary
So, does Medicaid cover surrogacy? No. Medicaid benefits cover essential health needs, but they do not extend to surrogacy arrangements, IVF services, or fertility treatments. Using Medicaid for surrogacy would be considered insurance fraud and could place your benefits and your journey at risk.
The path forward lies in private health insurance, employer insurance coverage, and careful financial planning. While the costs feel heavy, the dream of building a family through surrogacy remains possible.
At Creative Love, we walk every step of this surrogacy journey with you. With honesty, heart, and years of experience, we help families turn questions into answers and hope into reality. Surrogacy is about love, and we’re here to make sure that love has the chance to grow.
Ready to Begin Your Surrogacy Journey?
Whether you’re an intended parent hoping to grow your family or a woman considering becoming a surrogate, our team will walk beside you every step of the way. Contact us today if you are intended parents wanting to start the surrogacy journey or if you are a woman wanting to become a surrogate.
Can Medicaid help treat infertility through surrogacy?
No. Medicaid benefits may cover limited medical treatments to treat infertility, such as basic diagnostics, but they do not extend to IVF services or a surrogacy journey. Surrogacy costs fall outside Medicaid coverage and must be planned for through other insurance options or private funds.
Does marital status affect insurance coverage for surrogacy?
Yes. Some insurance plans consider marital status when determining eligibility for infertility services or maternity care. Whether single, married, or partnered, it’s important to review your health insurance policy to see what coverage applies to your surrogacy journey.
How do gender identity and sexual orientation impact coverage for surrogacy?
Health insurance policies differ. Some insurers provide fertility preservation services or infertility treatments for individuals whose reproductive organs are affected by surgery or gender affirming care. Others may limit benefits. Creative Love helps families of every gender identity and sexual orientation on their surrogacy journey on their surrogacy journey navigate these factors with compassion and clarity.
Does income level matter when planning for surrogacy costs?
Yes. Income level affects both Medicaid eligibility and your ability to purchase private insurance or supplemental plans. Since Medicaid does not cover surrogacy, families need to budget for the costs of IVF services, maternity care, and agency support. Income and financial stability are important factors when planning your surrogacy journey.
What factors affect the overall costs and development of a surrogacy journey?
Several factors play a role: fertility treatments like IVF, medical care during pregnancy, legal agreements, insurance coverage, and surrogate compensation. Each step influences the development of the process and the overall costs. Working with an experienced agency like Creative Love ensures you understand these factors and plan with confidence.
Wendy Arker entered the field of infertility with a huge heart and passion to guild others on their quest to grow their own family after her personal journey with infertility and turning to egg donation and sperm donation to create her own family. Being a single-mother-by-choice, Wendy understands firsthand the unique way families are built. Whether you’re a married couple, single, or LBGTQ, Creative Love is committed to assisting you.
