Current questions about costs and financing

How are the storage costs of EUR 2,500 for 25 years calculated? 

At the moment, eticur) is the only provider who routinely tests and separates all material according to the strict regulations of the Paul-Ehrlich institute and the German Medical Association. You pay 2,500 euros for the entire contract period of 25 years. With the offered financing options you can agree on monthly instalments with an interest rate of 0 %.  The total price consists of following single positions:

• Information, expert consultation, customer care before and after the collection
• Delivery of the collection box by a courier
• Training measures for the staff member who collect the umbilical cord blood
• Payments for the services rendered by the medical staff and midwives involved  Separate third party insurance for the hospital personnel involved in the collection  
• Courier transport of the collection box to the  stem cell bank of the University Hospital Erlangen within 24 hours
• Cell separation according to the gentle Rubinstein-method
• Extensive quality examination of the cells
• Viability testing via freezing simulation and following cell culture  
• Direct pathogen testing of the umbilical cord blood and the maternal blood in order to ensure that there are no infections
• Guaranteed identity check by comparing the tissue characteristics (HLA-Typification) between umbilical cord blood and maternal blood
• Safe storage of the cells in two samples which are stored in two separate tanks for initially 25 years
• Surveillance of the tanks and reliable replenishment with liquid nitrogen
• Delivery of the material to the desired hospital of application within Germany

Can I also settle the amount with monthly instalments?

After a prepayment of EUR 300 after signing the contract, you can pay the remaining sum either at once or with monthly instalments. With the financing offer by eticur) ADVANCE you pay the remaining sum of EUR 2,200 in ten monthly instalments of EUR 230.  But we also offer another possibility with eticur) INDIVIDUAL by medipay. You can settle the entire sum of EUR 2,500 with an individual maturity from 0 % interest which is custom-tailored for you, from 6 up to a maximum of 72 months. For more information, please visit the menu item payment options or do not hesitate to contact us directly. The expert team at our toll-free hotline 0800-0-384287 is looking forward to your call from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.   

Can I terminate my contract with eticur) at any time?

By storing the stem cells of your child, you conclude a contract with eticur) which runs for at least 25 years. But if you wish to terminate the contract before that period of time by either using up all material or destroying it, we can not reimburse any costs. 

What happens if the umbilical cord blood can not be collected or if for any other reason it is not possible to store the stem cells? 

If for any unforeseen reason the collection can not be carried out, the collection set should be sent back to us unopened. We can then reimburse your entire prepayment.  If the blood is collected and laboratory examinations show that the collected amount is too little or that the cells are not suitable for storage, then we only keep a lump sum of EUR 195 for the services rendered up to that point (for the collection set, the gynaecologist, the collection, the courier and the examination of the umbilical cord blood). You will receive the remaining EUR 105 prepayment. 

Why do some stem cell banks offer this service on a cheaper basis – or for the same price, but with less service?   

In Germany, there are very strict restrictions concerning the quality and safety of storing allogenic (not own) stem cells. eticur) is the only provider who applies these regulations routinely for the autologous (own) storage without any exception. But the necessary test and examinations take long and are very cost-intensive.  This guarantees highest quality and ensures that the cells are really ready for use if needed. How disappointed would you be if you needed the cells and they were not usable? You should only opt for the best as far as the health care of your child is concerned! Why should you make any compromise? 

Which costs are to be paid at multiple births? 

For the birth of twins, you only pay EUR 1,500 for the second child. This is a reduction of EUR 1,000. 

Is there any reduction for storing stem cells of further children? 

For further pregnancies we grant a loyalty rebate worth EUR 150. 

Can I prolong the contract after the contract duration of 25 years? 

Yes, after 25 years, the contract can be prolonged by your then adult child. eticur) offers a prolongation in a 10-year-package for EUR 330* (this corresponds EUR 33.00* per year) plus the then valid VAT. 

If the customer price index which is published by the Federal Statistics Office for Germany should rise by at least 10 percent in the year that the contract is concluded = 100 compared to the month of the commencement of the contract, eticur) is entitled to adjust the fee for the prolonged contract in the same relation. 

• highest quality for testing and storing
• separation and HLA-typification included
• safe storage at the University Hospital
• storage in two units in two tanks
• financing option from zero percent interest