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Questions to ask before considering stem cell or regenerative medicine treatment.
A practical checklist to help patients and caregivers slow down, compare claims, and prepare for a more informed conversation with a licensed health care professional.
Product questions
- What exactly is the product or procedure?
- What cells, tissue, biologic material, or device is being used?
- Where does it come from?
- How is it processed, stored, and handled?
- Is it FDA approved for my condition or being studied in an FDA-overseen clinical trial?
- May I see written documentation?
Provider questions
- Who will evaluate me before the procedure?
- Who will perform it?
- What training and license does that person have?
- What happens if I have a bad reaction?
- Who handles follow-up care?
Evidence and outcomes questions
- What evidence supports this use?
- What does the evidence not yet prove?
- What outcomes are realistic?
- How long might improvement last, if any?
- What percentage of patients do not improve?
Cost and consent questions
- What is included in the quoted cost?
- What is not included?
- Will insurance cover any part?
- Can I take the consent form home before signing?
- What are my alternatives, including doing nothing?
What a responsible provider looks like
A responsible provider should be willing to answer basic questions clearly, discuss alternatives, and avoid pressure tactics. If you feel rushed, discouraged from getting a second opinion, or asked to pay large sums before understanding the treatment, those are signs to pause and reassess.
Download this checklist and keep your notes private.
Do not submit medical records through this website. Use this checklist in your own conversations with providers.
This page is for education only. SCAN does not provide medical advice, diagnose, prescribe, recommend a specific treatment, or guarantee outcomes. Talk with a licensed health care professional before making medical decisions.
Important: SCAN provides education, advocacy, and navigation resources only. SCAN does not provide medical advice, diagnose, prescribe, recommend a specific treatment, or guarantee outcomes.