How much does a bone marrow transplant cost in India?

Do you know 95% of patients miss the opportunity to save money on Bone marrow transplants in India?

Though a Bone marrow transplant is a permanent solution for blood cancer and blood disorders, it is indeed a complex and costly procedure.

You might consider investing that money in yourself or leaving it for your family. You might have unfulfilled dreams such as higher education for your child or constructing a nice house for your family.

The biggest confusion you might have is – “Shall I invest money in my treatment or leave the savings for children and unfulfilled dreams?”

These are obvious doubts a person with family will have in such a situation.

But what if we tell you that you can have both?

Yes, you can save money, get treated, and fulfill your duties towards your family.

First, you should know that a bone marrow transplant addresses the problem’s root cause and is a permanent solution. Though in medical sciences there is nothing called a 100% success rate, by the approach, the bone marrow transplant has excellent success rates. This means, there is less chance of disease relapse.

Second, you need to know the right way to save money on your treatment without compromising, even a bit, on the treatment outcome.

By combining both you can confidently go for the treatment and fulfill your dreams.

Before we start addressing how to save money, you should first understand what is the typical BMT cost and what are the factors which drive the cost.

So let’s dig in!

What is the cost of Bone marrow Transplants in India?

The price range for bone marrow transplants in India spans from 15,000 USD to 65,000 USD (equivalent to 12,15,000 INR – 53,00,000 INR). The substantial variability may be surprising, and indeed, it is. However, numerous factors contribute to this cost discrepancy.

What are the factors that drive the cost of Bone marrow transplants in India?

Here are the key determinants influencing the cost of bone marrow transplants in India.

Type of Bone Marrow Transplant

There are broadly three types of Bone Marrow transplants and the cost varies accordingly. These are

• Autologous bone marrow transplant
  1. When bone marrow is taken from the patient.
  2. The average cost of a bone marrow transplant ranges from 15000 – 24500 USD (12,15,000 INR- 20,00,000 INR) for an autologous transplant in India. 
• Allogenic bone marrow transplant:
  1. When bone marrow is taken from the donor.
     • Matched sibling (when the bone marrow cells antigen matches completely) 
     • Partially matched sibling (when the bone marrow cells antigen does not match completely) 
     • Parents who come in the category of Partially matched 
  2. The average cost of a bone marrow transplant ranges from 25000 – 37500 USD (20,25,000 INR- 30,37,500 INR) for an allogeneic transplant in India.
  3. The average cost of a bone marrow transplant ranges from 36000 – 50000 USD (29,76,330 – 41,33,792 INR) for a Haplo transplant in India.
• Unrelated Donor bone marrow transplant
  1. The average cost of a bone marrow transplant ranges from 65000 – 90000 USD (53,73,930 – 74,40,826 INR) for an unrelated donor in India.

Location of the Hospital

Hospitals in metropolitan areas tend to incur higher expenses due to high operational costs. The cost of living in metros consistently surpasses that of neighboring towns, impacting various aspects such as physician fees, staffing expenses, land prices, and overall expenditures.

Facilities offered by the hospital

For in-room facilities, charges are determined based on the room type, in addition to the stay within the BMT unit.

Demand and supply

The pricing is affected by the balance between the demand for bone marrow transplants and the availability of medical facilities and expertise, creating fluctuations in overall costs.

How you can save money on the cost of BMT in India?

Here’s how you can save money on the cost of BMT in India: 

1. Opt for hospitals in non-metro areas to reduce operational costs.
2. Explore government or charitable assistance programs for financial support.
3. Consider shared accommodation options to minimize in-room facility expenses.
4. Research and compare prices among different medical facilities for cost-effective alternatives.
5. Inquire about potential discounts or packages for comprehensive BMT services.
6. Seek medical insurance coverage to alleviate a significant portion of the expenses.
7. Collaborate with healthcare providers to negotiate and customize a more budget-friendly treatment plan.

The best part is these are the organizations that can extend a good discount having the visibility of Demand and supply. However, you may need to wait for the right time when the demand is low. Look for organizations that have negotiated volume-based rates.

For any individual, this is a hard nut to crack. However, few organizations negotiate special rates for their patients during low-demand periods against a good volume and are willing to pass on the benefits to the patients.

Conclusion

Understanding the factors influencing the cost of a bone marrow transplant in India is crucial for making informed decisions. Amidst the complexities of pricing differentials, exploring cost-effective options becomes paramount. 

MedicoExperts, an online virtual hospital offers a platform where individuals can access expert guidance and potentially find more affordable avenues for their bone marrow transplant journey, aligning with both financial prudence and quality healthcare.