Stem cell therapy is a new and cutting-edge approach for treating various illnesses. The treatment expense can be high for several illnesses, even as the cost is lower in India compared to developed nations. The cost of therapy depends on variables, including the type of illness and condition, the hospital type, and the location. The best part is health insurance covers the same. Let’s brief on stem cell transplant, its cost, and how you can tackle the same using health insurance.
Doctors use stem cell transplants to treat blood cancer, multiple myeloma, erectile dysfunction, stroke, and a variety of other ailments and disorders.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is indicated when your bone marrow cannot create healthy blood cells. There are several reasons why this might be the case, including:
- Failure of the bone marrow (aplastic anemia)
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Immune system, blood, or metabolic problems such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and others
The doctor recommends the optimal way to restore normal cell creation in the bone marrow based on your needs.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
HSCT, also known as bone marrow transplantation, is a medical procedure that replaces a person's bone marrow with healthy blood cells.
Stem cells can be transformed into different types of cells to replace your body's damaged hematopoietic stem cells. These cells comprise RBCs, WBCs, and platelets, which are essential for the body to function normally.
How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy Cost in India?
Stem cell therapy is the most recent arrival in the Indian healthcare market. This novel technique cures various ailments and helps people begin a new life. Interestingly, stem cell transplant procedures have a comparatively high success rate. As a result, it is gaining popularity in several urban and non-metro cities. But the high price makes many in India skip this treatment. The cost of stem cell therapy treatment in India is determined by various factors, including the disease, the kind of transplant required (allogenic or autologous), healthcare status, facility type, and location. Many deadly disorders, ranging from hair loss to blood cancer, can be cured using stem cell therapy.
In India, the cost of stem cell therapy can range from INR 5 lakhs to 25 lakhs. The table below shows the estimated costs for treating different illnesses using a stem cell transplant.
| Diseases | Costs (In INR) |
| Blood Cancer | 8.6- 20 lakhs |
| Spinal Cord | 5-5.73 lakhs |
| Kidney Failure | 3.94-4.87 lakhs |
| Knee Problem | 4.75-5.90 lakhs |
| Hair Loss | 2.15-7.17 lakhs |
| Autism | 3.2-4.6 lakhs |
| Parkinson’s Disease | 5.18-10 lakhs |
| Cerebral Palsy | 5.71-7.62 lakhs |
Factors Affecting Bone Marrow Transplantation in India
The cost of bone marrow transplant surgery is determined by a number of factors, including the patient's healthcare status, kind of treatment method, hospital type, and location. Some critical parameters are important in bone marrow transplants.
Pre-surgery Costs
Doctors recommend physical checks and other basic testing before surgery. The expenses could range between INR 5,000 and INR 10,000.
Specific Testing
For a bone marrow transplant, you will need to have a CT scan, color doppler, ultrasound, and other tests. You would require an additional payment of INR 10,000 to INR 15,000 for these.
Transplant Cost
The frequency of surgery cycles may vary depending on the type of operation. The expenses could range from INR 5 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs.
Miscellaneous Expenses
Costs for follow-up sessions, immunosuppressant injections, and other similar post-surgery expenses must be included. These expenses could be around INR 50,000.
Is Stem Cell Transplant Covered Under a Health Insurance Policy in India?
Many health insurance companies in India cover bone marrow transplants as part of their regular and critical illness plans. But there can be certain conditions regarding stem cell transplant coverage. Some critical illness health insurance plans may only cover hematopoietic stem cell bone marrow transplants. However, the coverage will depend on the confirmation of a qualified doctor about using a stem cell transplant for treating illnesses.
Things to Consider Before Getting Stem Cell Transplant
Before filing a health insurance claim with your insurance company for transplanting fees, you should consider the following:
- A stem cell transplant treatment requires two people (donor and recipient). The donor's expenses are also covered by an insurance policy, albeit with severe conditions.
- In-patient hospitalisation costs for donors will be covered.
- You may have to deal with a 90-day waiting period and meet a 30-day survival period clause.
Conclusion
Living with a severe illness is a traumatic experience for both patients and their families. It is recommended that people take such threats seriously and take adequate measures for the same. In such instances, having a health insurance plan with enough coverage becomes critical. This way, one would at least be financially secure when faced with tall treatment costs.
Read more -
