Many people are apprehensive about the costs associated with cord blood banking. There are good reasons for the apprehension. If you have ever been to a cord blood storage facility, you will surely be impressed with the sterile surrounding, the high tech equipment ad the foolproof procedures. Naturally, if something as precious but as perishable as cord blood is to be kept for 18 – 20 years, then elaborate precautions would naturally be the norm.

Cord blood banks have pulled out all stops to make the process as easy for you as they can. Naturally, the costs of cord blood collection and medical courier are borne by the cord blood bank and you are kept informed of the processing being undertaken at every step. There is also elaborate testing of the mothers’ blood sample and of the cord blood itself. The costs of these tests are all included in the enrolment fee. IF for any reason, the sample is not found suitable for preservation, the entire enrolment fee is refunded.
Typically, private cord blood banks charge you $1600 to $2000 as a one time fee on enrolment and thereafter an annual maintenance charge is levied. The options available are really large and even a person with moderate means will find it easy to select an option. You can pay the enrolment fee in a lump sum or spread it over 12 months. With some cord blood banks, paying in one go would mean a discount, others simply spread the money mathematically over 12 months. If that be the case, you could consider putting the money aside and paying in installments.
The annual maintenance charge of cord blood preservation amounts to around $115 per year and needs to be paid in the month your baby was born in. You could pay this in a lump sum as well and avail substantial discounts. If, however, you do this, remember to enquire if a refund will be forthcoming in case you retrieve your umbilical cord blood before the allotted storage period is up.
While there is some processing associated with the thawing of the cord blood sample and making it available for use, there are typically no charges for this.
Many people reduce their cord blood storage costs by a novel method. They typically store the sample for a few years till the baby’s health and growth stabilizes. Once it is realized that that the probability of using the sample is remote, they transfer the rights to a family that is in need of the cord blood. In this manner, most of the costs paid are recovered and the early years of your baby’s growing up are protected.
Do not look for costs alone when deciding your cord blood bank. See the track record and the cord blood storage facilities before you decide. The size of their client list will also be an indication of the quality of the service they offer.