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Find the Best Cord Blood Banks in Madison, WI

Over 60,000 babies are born in Wisconsin each year, including thousands in Madison. For young families in areas such as Fitchburg, Middleton and Verona, the birth of a child comes with an opportunity to preserve the baby’s cord blood for future medical use. Madison.com has partnered with ConsumerAffairs to create this guide by comparing local reviews and plan selection of 24 businesses and choosing five favorites from the top cord blood banking companies in Madison.

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Choosing a cord blood bank in Madison

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Madison residents can choose to store cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue. While all cord blood banks offer cord blood stem cell storage, not all facilities offer cord tissue and placental tissue options. When selecting a cord blood banking company, look for professionally accredited organizations that are registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

If you want to store your baby’s cord blood stem cells for your family’s exclusive use, choose a private cord blood bank. To make a stem cell donation for use by anyone who needs it, you should find a hospital in Madison that works with a public cord blood bank.

  • Private cord blood banking: Private cord blood banking companies charge a fee to collect, process and store your child’s cord blood stem cells for potential use by your family in the future. According to UW Health, you should consider private cord blood banking if you have another child who has a condition that can be treated with a cord blood stem cell transplant, like leukemia or sickle cell disease.
  • Public cord blood banking: Public cord blood banks do not charge Madison families to donate cord blood. The cord blood is stored for research or use by a patient who can benefit from it. If you choose to donate your baby’s cord blood, contact your hospital to find out if it helps with the process.

Other factors to consider when choosing a cord blood bank in Madison include the following:

  • Experience, including how many units the company has collected and how many it has released for treatment
  • The collection process after delivery, including transportation method of the cord blood
  • Success rate for transplants
  • Cost of collection, processing and storage
  • Financial stability
  • Financial guarantees in case the stem cells don’t engraft during a transplant

How much does cord blood banking cost in Madison?

The price of cord blood banking in Madison ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, including 20 years of storage. Alternatively, you can pay a one-time fee of $1,000 to $1,800 and an annual storage fee of $125 to $180. Banking cord tissue or placental tissue — if the company provides this service — costs extra.

Many companies offer financing plans to spread payments out over six to 48 months. Discounts are sometimes available if you are having twins or triplets. You can save by paying upfront or by purchasing long-term storage. Look for promotions and special offers.

Health insurance generally doesn’t cover cord blood banking in Madison, but there may be exceptions in medically necessary cases. Contact your provider for details about your specific plan.

Pros and cons of cord blood banking in Madison

There are both pros and cons to private cord blood banking in Madison. It’s important to discuss these with family and with your health care provider before making a decision about whether to store your baby’s cord blood.

Pros:

  • Cord blood stem cells can potentially be lifesaving for a family member; they have successfully been used to treat leukemia, lymphoma and other serious illnesses of the blood and immune system.
  • Cord blood banks can store your child’s cord blood for 20 years or longer.
  • The collection process is painless for the mother and baby.
  • Cons:

  • Costs begin at $1,000 to $1,800, not including the annual or long-term storage fee.
  • There are no guarantees that the stem cells will be a match for a family member or for the medical condition.
  • Cord blood banking requires advance planning and can’t be a last-minute decision.
  • It is unlikely your family will ever use the cord blood.
  • You may learn through cord blood testing that your child has a gene that could in the future lead to a disease.
  • Madison cord blood banking FAQ

    Should I save my baby's cord blood?

    If your family has a history of disease treatable by cord blood stem cells, private cord blood banking is worth considering. Donating your cord blood, which could save the life of a complete stranger, is another option. Before you make a decision, it’s essential to educate yourself about the process and speak with your health care provider.

    Can I donate cord blood in Madison?

    We recommend talking with your health care provider and the hospital where you plan to give birth in Madison to find out if it participates in a cord blood donation program.

    Can parents use baby's cord blood?

    According to the FDA, cord blood can be used by first- or second-degree relatives.

    Is cord blood from a baby or mother?

    Cord blood is blood from the baby that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

    Madison cord blood banking company information

    Americord

    Americord is a private cord blood bank offering cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue storage. Its plans include no cancellation charges, no courier fees, 20 years of storage and a guarantee to pay up to $110,000 for a different stem cell source if your child’s stem cells fail to engraft. Madison customers can pay over 24 months or save by paying in full upfront. There is also an annual storage fee option.

    Americord Learn More (917) 338-6773

    Cord Blood Registry

    Cord Blood Registry is a private cord blood bank offering cord blood and cord tissue storage. Madison customers can save by getting 18-year or lifetime storage. A 48-month payment plan is available if you choose annual storage. CBR clients get genetic counselor support and rewards for making referrals. The company has helped over 600 families use their cord blood stem cells for medical treatments.

    Cord Blood Registry

    AlphaCord

    With AlphaCord, you can choose to store cord blood, cord blood and cord tissue, or cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue. The company provides an $85,000 guarantee in case stem cells fail to engraft. Madison customers can pay for annual storage or prepay for 18 years. Payment plans lasting 12 months are available. AlphaCord has been in business for about 20 years and has processed and stored over 30,000 samples.

    AlphaCord

    New England Cord Blood Bank, Inc.

    New England Cord Blood Bank, Inc. has been processing and storing cord blood and cord tissue since 1997. Madison customers can choose an annual, 20-year or lifetime plan. A 12-month, no-interest payment plan is available. NECBB promises no increases on annual storage fees and has an $80,000 engraftment guarantee. The company provides a $100 gift card after you make a successful referral.

    New England Cord Blood Bank, Inc.

    ViaCord

    ViaCord stores cord blood and cord tissue and has helped over 450 customers use banked cord blood in transplant or research. Madison residents can prepay for up to 25 years of storage, or they can pay an annual fee. Payments plans of six and 12 months are available. Visit ViaCord’s website to get a free information kit.

    ViaCord