15 Questions to Ask a Stem Cell Clinic Before You Pay
Send these by email rather than asking on a call. You want the answers in writing, and you want to see what a clinic is willing to put in writing.
A serious clinic will answer most of these directly. No clinic we are aware of answers all fifteen perfectly — the point is the pattern of the responses, not a perfect score.
About the treatment
1. Is this treatment FDA approved for my condition? Good answer: "No. Almost nothing in this field is. Here is what that means." Bad answer: any claim of approval, or a pivot to "FDA registered."
2. Which peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial supports this treatment for my specific condition? The single most informative question. Good answer: a paper, sometimes with a caveat about how strong it is. Bad answer: testimonials, a brochure, or a call to "discuss it properly."
3. What cell type will I receive — mesenchymal, and from what source? They should answer immediately and specifically.
4. How many viable cells will I receive, and how is viability measured? Good answer: a number and a method. Bad answer: "millions," or an explanation of why the count does not matter.
5. May I see the viability and sterility documentation for my specific lot? Very few clinics can. Those that can are a different tier.
6. Will the cells be culture-expanded, or concentrated only? Affects both regulatory status and dose. They should know without hesitating.
7. How long do you expect these cells to survive in my body? Good answer: an honest "days." Bad answer: claims of long-term engraftment or ongoing regeneration.
About the people
8. Who will perform the procedure, what is their specialty, and what is their licence number? You should be able to verify this independently with the relevant medical board.
9. Is there an institutional review board or ethics committee overseeing this? If they call it a study, this must have an answer.
About the evidence for their own results
10. What outcome measure do you use, and at what time points? Good answer: a validated instrument — WOMAC, KOOS, EDSS. Bad answer: patient satisfaction surveys.
11. What percentage of your patients still have follow-up data at twelve months? Reveals whether outcome claims are based on anything durable.
12. How many of your patients report no benefit? An honest clinic has a number and shares it. Nobody has a 100% response rate.
About money and risk
13. What is the total cost, itemised, including follow-up and any second session — and is the price per joint or per session? Get this in writing. "Per treatment" is ambiguous by design.
14. What are the risks, and what is your complication rate? Bad answer: "there are no side effects." That statement alone should end it.
15. If I develop a complication after I go home, who is responsible for my care and who pays for it? Especially critical for treatment abroad. You want a named contact, a working phone number, and a clear statement of responsibility.
How to read the replies
You are not grading the treatment. You are grading the clinic’s relationship with the truth.
A clinic that says "the evidence here is limited, most of the measured benefit in trials is contextual, and we cannot promise you a result — here is the paper" is being straight with you. That clinic may still be worth using.
A clinic that answers with certainty, guarantees, urgency, or testimonials has told you how it will behave when something goes wrong.
A short version if you only ask three
- Which randomised controlled trial supports this for my condition?
- How many viable cells will I receive, and may I see the documentation?
- If I have a complication after I go home, who is responsible and who pays?
Copy-and-paste email
Hello,
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I am considering treatment for [condition] and would like some information in writing before booking a consultation.
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1. Is this treatment FDA approved for my condition? 2. Which peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial supports it for my condition? 3. What cell type and source, and how many viable cells will I receive? 4. May I see viability and sterility documentation for my lot? 5. Who performs the procedure, and what is their licence number? 6. What validated outcome measure do you use, and what are your twelve-month results? 7. What is the total itemised cost, and is it per joint or per session? 8. What are the risks and your complication rate? 9. If I develop a complication after returning home, who is responsible and who pays?
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Thank you.
Sources
- International Society for Stem Cell Research — Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies.
- US Food and Drug Administration — consumer guidance on evaluating stem cell treatments.
- Federal Trade Commission — guidance on substantiation of health claims.
Not sure whether this is right for you?
Tell us about your condition and we will send you our free clinic-vetting checklist, an honest summary of the evidence for your situation, and — where they exist — free clinical trials you may be eligible for. Get matched with a vetted clinic
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. We are not a healthcare provider and do not diagnose or treat any condition. Most stem cell treatments discussed here are not FDA approved for these uses, outcomes vary, and no result is guaranteed. Always speak with a licensed physician who knows your history. See our medical disclaimer and how we make money.