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Find the Best Cord Blood Banking Companies in Boston, MA

More than 69,000 babies were born in Boston in 2021, according to the most recent data. At the time of birth, some Boston parents will choose to have their baby’s cord blood stored for private or public use, in case the stem cells may be needed for lifesaving medical treatment. Boston.com has partnered with ConsumerAffairs to create this guide, comparing the costs, services and satisfaction ratings of 24 businesses and choosing the six best cord blood banking companies in the Boston area.

This content was created by a Boston.com partner. The editorial department of Boston.com had no role in writing, production, or display. Boston.com may be compensated for publishing this content and/or receive a commission on purchases of products or services described within the post.

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Compare Cord Blood Banking Companies in Boston

ViaCord
ViaCord
Overall satisfaction rating
  • Private cord blood banking
  • Starts at $1,725 per year, plus $175 to $350 per year for storage
  • Higher than 80% transplant survival rate
  • Available in Boston and nationwide
Read more
Call Now Toll Free (877) 856-4807
Learn More
Americord
Americord
Overall satisfaction rating
  • Private cord blood banking
  • Starts at $3,521 for 20 years of storage
  • Free medical transport
  • Available in Boston and nationwide
Read more
Call Now Toll Free (917) 338-6773
Learn More
New England Cord Blood Bank
New England Cord Blood Bank
  • Private cord blood banking
  • Starts at $1,399 per year, plus $160 per year for storage
  • Available in Boston, nationwide and internationally
  • cordbloodbank.com
Read more
HealthBanks
HealthBanks
Overall satisfaction rating
  • Private cord blood banking
  • Starts at $1,245 per year, plus $175 per year for storage
  • Available in Boston and nationwide
  • healthbanks.us
Read more
AlphaCord
AlphaCord
  • Private cord blood banking
  • Starts at $780 per year, plus $150 per year for storage
  • Available in Boston and nationwide
  • alphacord.com
Read more
Lifebank Cord Blood Banking
Lifebank Cord Blood Banking
  • Private cord blood banking
  • Starts at $1,495 per year, plus $150 per year for storage
  • Available in Boston and nationwide
  • lifebankusa.com
Read more

How to choose a cord blood bank in Boston

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Umbilical cord blood and tissue holds stem cells that can be used for treating a wide range of conditions. This includes brain and spinal cord injuries, diabetes, heart conditions and neurological disorders. Companies store cord blood for many years — up to a lifetime — so you have access when needed. After a baby is born, a doctor or midwife clamps the umbilical cord and collects the cord blood. Cord blood company couriers then pick it up and send it to the lab. Testing is done and stem cells are separated from the whole blood. The blood and stem cells are then stored in liquid nitrogen tanks in the lab.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a cord blood bank. These include:

  • Company experience: You can ask a cord blood bank how many cord blood units it has transferred. Being able to send out viable stem cells is a large success indicator.
  • Storage stability: Cord blood banks that have used the same laboratory year after year have more stability than ones that change laboratory partners regularly.
  • Inventory: The more inventory a bank has, the higher the sign of a successful cord blood bank.
  • Insurance held: Some blood banks offer an insurance or financial guarantee that the cord blood will engraft if needed. This can be an extra layer of protection while storing.
  • Pricing: Pricing for cord blood banking varies, but keep in mind, the cheapest option may not always be the best option.
  • Accreditation: Cord blood banks are held to accreditation standards by the AABB and FACT. You can check search on both sites to find an accredited bank.

Types of cord blood banking in Boston

There are private and public cord banking options. Private companies store the blood and stem cells only for your family’s use. Public companies make them available to anyone. Private cord blood banking ensures it is available to your child or a family member who is a match when needed, and you pay for storage. Public cord blood banking is free, though some hospitals may charge a collection fee. Both types of banking have pros and cons.

Pros and cons of cord blood banking in Boston

Private cord blood banking

Pros Cons
  • Pain-free collection
  • Ready when needed
  • Can be used by your child or family members who are a match
  • Costly
  • Effectiveness risk
  • Must be decided before delivery

Public cord blood banking

Pros Cons
  • Gives access to anyone who needs it
  • Free and painless collection
  • Matches outside others’ families
  • Available for public use for a fee
  • Not available for your child’s or family’s use
  • Register before delivery

How much does cord blood banking cost in Boston?

At the time of publishing, Boston cord blood banking ranges from $780 to $2,595 per year for one baby. In Boston, annual storage fees range from $150 to $350 for private banking.

Number of babies Price range*
One $780 to $3,521
Two $2,496 to $4,185
Three Around $5,800

*At the time of publishing

Boston cord blood banking FAQ

How much is cord blood banking a month in Massachusetts?
At the time of publishing, private Boston cord blood banking ranges from $780 to $2,595 per year. Additional yearly storage fees will apply, and cost varies, largely based on cell types being stored.
Does cord blood banking kick in immediately?
Cord blood is collected at the time of delivery, as soon as the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Then it’s sent to the blood bank processing lab and frozen for future use.
What are three factors that will affect your cord blood banking costs?
Three factors affecting cord blood banking costs are the number of babies, cell and tissue type collected and payment terms. Many companies offer financing options for monthly payments or discounted rates for several years paid in advance.

Boston cord blood banking company information

ViaCord

ViaCord provides cord blood only and cord blood and tissue private storage. It processes and stores newborn cord tissue in a five-compartment bag for extra protection. ViaCord guarantees its storage fee for five years. Pricing starts at $1,725 per year with a yearly storage fee ranging from $175 to $350. More than 500 ViaCord customers have used banked cord blood in a transplant. In addition to cord blood banking, ViaCord offers genomic testing for predisposition to celiac disease, lactose intolerance, food sensitivities and other insights.

 ViaCord Learn More (877) 856-4807

Americord

Americord’s Cord Blood 2.0® process enables them to collect twice as many cord blood stem cells as the industry average, providing the opportunity for multiple treatments. As a private cord blood bank, it stores placental tissue, cord blood and tissue and exosomes. Pricing starts at $3,521 for 20 years of storage, with payment plans ranging from 12 to 24 months. Storage fees, collection kit fees and shipping are included. Americord also offers a lifetime storage pricing option.

 Americord Learn More (917) 338-6773

New England Cord Blood Bank

New England Cord Blood Bank is a private cord blood banking company. It has processed and shipped cord blood stem cells worldwide. It uses an automated cord blood processing system, which results in a roughly 99% cell-recovery rate. The company’s storage containers can maintain temperatures in case of a power outage. Pricing starts at $1,399 per year with a $160 per year storage fee after the first year. New England Cord Blood Bank is located at 500 Donald J. Lynch Blvd., Marlborough, MA 01752.

 New England Cord Blood Bank

HealthBanks

HealthBanks is a dual bank for stem cells and immune cells. It offers cord blood banking and immune cell banking. Both types can be used to treat disease, fight bacteria and treat cancer. Pricing starts at $1,245 per year plus a $175 per year storage fee. Annual, 20-year and lifetime packages are available. HealthBanks offers a $50,000 engraftment and price match guarantee.

 HealthBanks

AlphaCord

AlphaCord is a private cord blood banking company that provides cord blood only, cord blood plus cord tissue and cord blood, cord tissue and placenta tissue storage. Its five-chamber storage bag means cells can be used for up to five treatments. Cord blood only storage starts at $65 per month for 12 months with a $150 annual storage fee. AlphaCord offers an $85,000 allowance toward another source of cells if cells they store fail to engraft during transplant.

 AlphaCord

Lifebank Cord Blood Banking

Lifebank collects cord blood and placenta stem cells for private banking only, meaning your child or another family member can use the stem cells for treatment. Pricing starts at $1,495 per year for cord blood only storage with a $150 per year storage fee. Packages are available for cord blood only, cord blood and tissue and cord blood, tissue and placenta stem cell storage. Discounted rates are available for prepaid storage plans.

 Lifebank Cord Blood Banking