[Castaway]

Cost of stem cell storage?

by Castaway on Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:08 am

Hello all,

While I am waiting for a call about my insurance coverage for stem cell harvesting and storage, I started thinking about what the costs would be for the storage part of the process if they won't cover extended storage. Of course, I started doing some research and found some people giving their costs.

One individual said there is a fee of anywhere from an initial cost of 2 to 4 thousand dollars with an annual fee ranging anywhere from 200 to 500 dollars. I am only going by what others have said, not solid facts.

Has anyone looked into private pay for stem cell storage and the cost? I am sure it's out of my ability to do private pay.

Castaway

[kullybunnny1]

Re: Cost of stem cell storage?

by kullybunnny1 on Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:45 am

George, while researching my disputed genetic testing cost, I noticed 2 separate $5800 charges for storage during harvesting. I believe this includes long term storage.

Hope this helped.

Kully

[NStewart]

Re: Cost of stem cell storage?

by NStewart on Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:54 pm

The cost depends on the policies of the center where you are having your cells harvested. My cells were harvested and are stored at Penn. They don't charge for storage.

Nancy in Phila

[dianaiad]

Re: Cost of stem cell storage?

by dianaiad on Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:54 pm

I asked about that during my own harvest and transplant. The City of Hope in Duarte told me that they would not charge me for storage, and that there would probably be no charge until they 'ran out of room,' which doesn't seem to be much of a problem at the moment.

At least, I hope not.

[Castaway]

Re: Cost of stem cell storage?

by Castaway on Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:15 am

Thank you all for your input. I recently talked with my transplant hospital, and they have a limited amount of space for additional storage. I am still waiting for insurance approval. The insurance wheels seem to move very slow in regards to stem cell harvest/transplant.

I will have to bring up the storage cost with my transplant specialist at my next visit. It seems as though costs could be thousands of dollars or no charge at all. I am sure it has to do with each hospital and their ability to absorb any costs for storage.

Thank you, Castaway