Viacord is a private cord blood banking service that can collect and freeze the blood from a newborn baby's umbilical cord, in case it is needed later for a stem cell transplant. Viacord offers a number of payment plans and a gift registry to help parents cover the cost of these services. In addition, babies who have a sibling that currently needs a cord blood transplant may be eligible to receive Viacord's services for free.
Types
Viacord charges several types of fees for the collection and storage of cord blood. The total initial cost for collecting and storing the cord blood is $2,195. This includes a $150 fee for having a medical courier pick up the cord blood from the hospital or birth center where the baby is born and transport it to Viacord. The fee for processing and freezing the cord blood for storage is $1,920 and the fee for storing the cord blood is $125. After the first year, an annual storage fee of $125 is due each year on the baby's birthday.
Considerations
The initial cost of Viacord's services does not include any fees that the obstetrician, midwife or hospital may charge to collect the cord blood from the baby's umbilical cord after birth. Some health care professionals do not charge any fees for this service, while others charge $100 to $200 or more. Some hospitals waive the collection fee for parents who are donating cord blood to a public bank, but not for those who are signed up for a private cord blood banking service, such as Viacord. Parents who are interested in banking cord blood with Viacord should ask the health care provider who will deliver the baby about any fees for their blood collection service.
Time Frame
Viacord does not charge for its services until the cord blood is collected. However, parents must sign up with Viacord before the baby is born in order to receive a cord blood collection kit, and there is $150 fee for canceling the service. Parents who prepay the annual storage fee in a single payment receive a discount on the total amount due. Paying for 20 years up front costs $1,975, which is a savings of $525 compared to the cost of paying $125 per year. Paying for 25 years up front costs $2,300, for a savings of $825.
Features
For families who cannot afford cord blood banking services in a single payment, Viacord offers payment plans. Parents can pay Viacord the initial cost of $2,195 in six monthly payments of $366 each, with no additional interest. Parents who pay over twelve months can make monthly payments of $194, which includes a total of $125 in interest. Those who wish to pay over 60 months, or about five years, must qualify for a CareCredit card and pay approximately $51 per month, which includes about $865 in interest. The cost of interest may vary depending on interest rates, and the cost of any late fees or finance charges.
Benefits
Viacord offers a free online gift registry for parents who would like family and friends to be able to make donations toward the cord blood banking costs. Parents who currently have a child with a disease that may be treatable with their new baby's cord blood may be eligible for the Sibling Connection program. Through this program, families can receive the initial cord blood collection and storage services at no cost. For more information on this program, visit the Sibling Connection website linked below, or call 1-866-861-8435.
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