Some Canadian provinces have surrogacy legislation which allows altruistic surrogacy for Canadians and foreigners.

Canada also has an excellent public healthcare system and good quality IVF facilities. Surrogacy agencies in Canada are limited by law in what they can do. Paid advertising for surrogates is not legal. Charging to match intended parents with surrogates is not legal.

Canada has had phenomenal growth in demand due to its legal framework, professionalism and surrogate support

However some Canadian agencies do not cap the number of IPs they will accept each year and with increased demand the availability of surrogates can’t keep up.
Other Canadian agencies do cap the number of intended parents they take, and are not reporting the same supply/demand problems.

Wait times for surrogates can range from 6-12 months depending on the provider used. This is inherent in an altruistic model and intended parents looking at Canada need to understand these limitations

Not uncommonly intended parents using the largest egg donor and surrogacy providers are reporting

• long wait times to be matched with a donor and/or surrogate
• poor success rates
• changes of surrogates and  surrogate drop-out
• switching to programs in other countries

This reflects on the availability of appropriate donors and surrogates

Canadian NICU Costs

Depending on care needed this can range from  $1,500-8,000/day for a singleton and $3,000-15,000/day for twins.

INSURANCE – no more freeloading

In the past, Canadian hospitals in some provinces were picking up the costs for NICU costs for many foreigners.

That has now changed. ALL hospitals are now billing for newborn medical costs.

• Many IPs are now receiving medical bills and some are not paying which has put hospitals on high alert.
• Lawyers are now refusing to do follow up for birth certificates if hospital bills are not paid.
• Canadian Surrogates are now more hesitant to match with international IPs due to high number of parents not paying and leaving the surrogate with unpaid medical bills, affecting her credit rating
• Allianz will not insure Australians
• Allianz recently changed their policies – they will not insure twins and will not insure between weeks 24-37 (the most expensive time period for medical costs). 

Insurance Recommendations

– Carefully read the policy inclusions

– Research private insurance options in your own country.

– Establish if your employer provides insurance for dependents born abroad 

– Have additional funds available in case of medical bills. 

Several foreign IPs in recent months had medical bills exceeding $120,000. 

Note that most intended parents will have a positive/successful experience with hospital bills under $3,000