The average cost of stem cell therapy
The most-cited price data comes from a Cleveland Clinic study in which researchers contacted 273 U.S. clinics as a simulated 57-year-old patient with knee arthritis. Among the 65 clinics that gave a price, the average for a single-knee stem cell injection was $5,156, with a standard deviation of $2,446. In practice, that means one clinic may quote half what the next one does for what sounds like the same treatment.
The same clinics told the caller that about 82% of patients had good results, a figure well above what published trials show. A price quote and a success claim from the same sales call are worth checking against the evidence.
Cost by type of stem cell treatment
"Stem cell therapy" covers several different procedures, and the cell source is the biggest single driver of price.
| Treatment | Where the cells come from | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Bone marrow concentrate (BMAC) | Your own bone marrow, drawn from the hip and concentrated the same day | About four times the price of PRP on average |
| Fat-derived cells | Your own fat, taken by mini-liposuction and processed the same day | No reliable published average |
| Donor umbilical cord or amniotic products | Tissue from a donor, bought by the clinic from a tissue bank | Varies widely; not FDA-approved for any orthopedic use |
| PRP, for comparison | Platelets from your own blood | $714 on average for one knee injection |
A 2024 review of knee trials estimated that bone marrow concentrate costs about four times as much as PRP on average, and a separate survey of 179 U.S. centers put the average PRP knee injection at $714. Read what BMAC is and how the procedure works for the details of the most common orthopedic stem cell procedure.
What drives the price
- The cell source. Harvesting your own marrow or fat adds a procedure and a processing kit. Donor products add the cost of buying the product from a tissue bank.
- Processing. Centrifuge systems and single-use kits differ in cost and in how much they concentrate the cells.
- Image guidance. Ultrasound or fluoroscopy places the injection precisely and adds to the cost. Spine and deep hip injections almost always need it.
- The number of areas treated. Each joint or tendon is usually priced separately.
- Add-ons. PRP, a hyaluronic acid injection, or repeat visits may be bundled in or billed on top.
- Follow-up and rehab. Some quotes include check-ins and a rehab plan. Others cover only the procedure day.
Cost by area: knee, shoulder, and back
The knee is the only area with a published average, at $5,156 for one knee. Clinics usually price each treated area separately, so both knees cost more than one. Shoulder and rotator cuff injections are priced per area as well, and a partial tendon tear that needs precise ultrasound guidance can add to the cost. Back and spine procedures usually need fluoroscopy and a procedure room, which raises the price, and the evidence for them is earlier and thinner than for the knee.
Why some offers cost much less, or much more
A very low price usually means a donor product injected without a harvest, sometimes without image guidance. A very high price often means a package of several areas, IV infusions, or lab-grown cells. Neither price tells you how well it will work. The FDA has not approved any stem cell product for arthritis or other orthopedic problems, and it warns that charging for an unapproved product outside a clinical trial can be a sign of an illegal offer.
Clinics in Mexico, Panama, and other countries often advertise lower prices for cultured or donor cells that cannot be marketed in the U.S. without FDA approval. Travel, follow-up care, and treatment outside U.S. oversight belong in that comparison.
Does insurance cover stem cell therapy?
Medicare and private insurers cover blood stem cell transplants for approved conditions such as leukemia and multiple myeloma. Orthopedic stem cell injections, including bone marrow concentrate and fat-derived cells, are generally not covered by Medicare or commercial plans, so patients pay out of pocket. Some plans still cover the consultation, X-rays, or MRI that come before a procedure. Health savings and flexible spending accounts may pay for the procedure itself, depending on your plan administrator.
Stem cell therapy cost in Florida
No published survey reports Florida prices separately, and the same drivers apply. What is different in Florida is the law. Since July 1, 2025 (Chapter 2025-185), physicians may use certain stem cell therapies that are not FDA-approved in orthopedics, wound care, and pain management, if the cells come from an FDA-registered, accredited facility, the patient gives written informed consent, and the physician includes the required notice in advertising. Ask any Florida clinic which rules its product falls under. For the full picture, read What is stem cell therapy?
Is stem cell therapy worth the cost?
For knee arthritis, the evidence asks hard questions of the price. In a 2023 randomized trial of 480 patients, bone marrow concentrate, fat-derived cells, and umbilical cord cells all reduced pain at one year, and none of them beat a steroid injection. A 2024 review of eight randomized trials found no clinically meaningful advantage for bone marrow concentrate over other knee injections, including PRP.
It can still be a reasonable choice for an active person with mild to moderate arthritis or a partial tendon or ligament injury who has already tried rehab and PRP. It is a poor use of money for severe, bone-on-bone arthritis, where joint replacement is usually the better option.
Questions to ask before you pay
- What is the all-in price, and what exactly does it include?
- Where do the cells come from, and how are they processed?
- Is the product FDA-approved, part of a clinical trial, or offered under Florida law?
- Who performs the injection, and is it guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy?
- What does the published evidence show for my diagnosis?
- What happens, and what does it cost, if I need a second treatment?
Stem cell therapy in Miami
I evaluate joint, tendon, and ligament problems in Miami, and I start with your diagnosis and imaging rather than a package price. For many patients the right first step is rehab, a targeted injection, or PRP. When a procedure using your own bone marrow makes sense, you get a clear, itemized quote and a plain account of what the evidence shows for your problem. See stem cell therapy in Miami, or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stem cell therapy cost?
A study of U.S. stem cell clinics found an average price of $5,156 for a single-knee injection, and quotes vary by thousands of dollars from one clinic to the next. The price depends on where the cells come from, how they are processed, image guidance, and how many areas are treated.
Does insurance cover stem cell therapy?
Insurance and Medicare cover blood stem cell transplants for approved conditions such as leukemia. Orthopedic stem cell injections are generally not covered, so patients pay out of pocket. The consultation and imaging beforehand may still be billable to some plans.
How much does stem cell therapy cost for a knee?
The best published figure is an average of $5,156 for one knee, from a survey of U.S. clinics that offered stem cell injections for knee arthritis. Clinics usually price each knee separately, so treating both costs more than treating one.
How much does stem cell therapy cost for a shoulder?
There is no published average for the shoulder alone. Clinics usually price each treated area separately, and a rotator cuff injection that needs precise ultrasound guidance can cost more. Ask for an itemized quote for your shoulder specifically.
How much does stem cell therapy cost in Florida?
No published survey covers Florida prices specifically, and they follow the same drivers as everywhere else: the cell source, the processing, image guidance, and the number of areas treated. Since July 2025, Florida law has let physicians use some stem cell products that are not FDA-approved, under conditions that include sourcing and written consent.
Why is stem cell therapy cheaper in Mexico?
Clinics abroad often offer lab-grown or donor cells that cannot be legally marketed in the U.S. without FDA approval, at lower labor and facility costs. Travel, follow-up care, and the risk of treatment outside U.S. oversight are part of the real price, and the FDA warns patients to be cautious about these offers.
Is stem cell therapy worth the cost?
For some patients with mild to moderate arthritis or a partial tendon injury who have not improved with rehab and simpler injections, it can be reasonable. Randomized trials have not shown that it beats PRP or a steroid injection for knee arthritis, so it should not be the first treatment for most people.
Can I use an HSA or FSA for stem cell therapy?
Sometimes. Health savings and flexible spending accounts can generally pay for medical care that treats a diagnosed condition, but each plan administrator decides. Ask the clinic for an itemized receipt with your diagnosis and check with your administrator before you pay.
Sources
- Piuzzi NS, et al. The stem-cell market for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a patient perspective. J Knee Surg. 2018
- Piuzzi NS, et al. What is the price and claimed efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the United States? J Knee Surg. 2019
- Han JH, et al. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Orthop J Sports Med. 2024
- Mautner K, et al. Cell-based versus corticosteroid injections for knee pain in osteoarthritis: a randomized phase 3 trial. Nat Med. 2023
- FDA: Important patient and consumer information about regenerative medicine therapies
- CMS: National coverage determination for stem cell transplantation
- Laws of Florida: Chapter 2025-185