How to Choose a Stem Cell Therapy Center Abroad
Stem cell therapies are the latest innovation in medicine which promises to cure a large number of different diseases. Usually, stem cell treatments are given to those “no hope” diseases and chronic diseases. In some cases they completely reverse the symptoms and repair the damage, and in others they slow the progression of the disease, allowing people to lead normal lives. Diseases which can be treated with stem cells include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer, type 2 diabetes, lupus, kidney disease, stroke, heart conditions, and many more.
When looking for a stem cell treatment, you have two options:
-Find local stem cell centers – Finding a stem cell treatment in your vicinity should always be the first option to look for. Some countries have a very developed field of stem cell research and they can offer fine treatments. It is even better if your insurance is willing to pay for a stem cell therapy.
-Find stem cell centers abroad – However, since stem cell treatments are still in development in most countries, some have not yet taken a positive stance towards these treatments, as in their view they still haven’t been tested enough. This leaves foreign countries, like Germany, Mexico or India, as a solution. Travelling abroad for stem cell treatment might also be worth it for the cost alone, as in some traveling abroad, staying there for the duration of the treatment and paying for the treatment itself might still be cheaper than doing the treatment in your own country.
No matter which way you choose to go, it is vital that you do a lot of researching regarding stem cell therapies and clinics that offer them. Like we said, there are a lot of clinics offering stem cell treatments, however, not all of them are fully developed. Some are still in trial phases (although they are sold as fully tried and tested), while others lack credentials and certification. It warrants thorough research and you have to be able to make an informed decision about choosing one of them.
How to make an informed decision?
Stem cell treatments exist or a wide variety of diseases. Depending on the type of disease, the type of stem cells used varies as well. Mesenchymal stem cells can help in some situations, while in others only the stem cells from the umbilical cord can help. It all depends on the type of the disease. The important thing is to know the difference and you can do this only through getting informed and asking the right questions.
What to look for when researching medical centers?
- Qualifications and experience – Stem cell therapies are currently being developed and researched across the world, but not all countries allow their use and not all clinics have perfected these treatments. Look at how long the center has been working with stem cells and whether they are certified and their staff qualified to work with these cells. Also, check whether the staff has been attending conferences on stem cells, as that is a sign that they are updated with the innovations in the field.
- Pricing and inclusions – Pricing is a key category when choosing medical centers. Since stem cells are rarely covered by insurance, it is important not to overpay for the treatment. When they were first introduced, stem cell treatments cost in the range of $100,000. Now those prices have significantly dropped, although there are still centers which charge as much. Be sure to also check what is included in the package that you are paying for, as some can include transportation and stay, while others don’t. There are even some packages where it says that the treatment with stem cells is optional. This usually means that you have to pay extra to actually have these administered, so you should be wary of such packages, as well.
- Check the facilities – Working with stem cells means that the clinic is up-to-date with the latest innovations in the field of medicine. This should also mean that their facilities are well kept, new and upgraded to the state-of-the-art level. If this is not the case, then you should probably stay away from that center, as it means that they haven’t invested enough into their infrastructure, while still charging patients large sums of money.
Questions to ask before booking
Is the clinic certified by relevant authorities to provide stem cell treatments? – Stem cell treatments are thoroughly regulated in some countries, but it is there that you can feel the safest, as those that pass these certifications are certainly safe for administration. If you are travelling abroad, you can also look for the JCI certification. The Joint Commission International is an international regulatory body which issues certificates only to the highest performing clinics which pass their high standards.
How much will the treatment package cost me? – It is still too early to talk about standardized package pricing when it comes to stem cells. This makes researching the packages, their costs and their inclusions and exclusions all the more important. Make sure to check whether some parts of the package are optional, as this usually means that you have to pay extra for them. This will also help you to plan your money once you choose a treatment.
Does the country legally allow the treatment that you want? – In some countries, stem cell therapies are completely illegal, while in others they are heavily regulated. Before choosing, make sure that the therapy you want is legal and allowed in the country. If a clinic is administering an illegal treatment, then they probably do not care about other healthcare regulations, which is something you should avoid.
Which stem cells are administered during the treatment? – Read up on various types of stem cells and see which are used for which conditions. Then see what the clinic you are looking at is offering and whether it fits your needs. Wrong types of stem cells can be very damaging to your health and can even cause cancer.
Are there any stories from previous patients and can I get in touch with them? – The safest way to see whether someone works is to check on the previous patients and see whether they are actually feeling better and whether the treatment worked as expected. You can learn a lot from patient testimonials, and we strongly suggest you check them out.
Stem cell therapies are widely used nowadays to heal various kinds of diseases. However, some are safe while others aren’t. The unsafe ones can be avoided through research and knowledge and it is our job to help you make the right decisions. We are always available to help if there are any problems.
If you need help choosing a stem cell treatment or you wish to find out more about what we offer in that field, feel free to contact us!
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