CBAI partners with BlueCross and offers cord blood banking services to their members

Mar 28 2011

Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CBAI), announced today it has entered into an agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and is now offering the storage of umbilical cord blood at a discount rate as consistent with its other BCBS licensee contracts.

Total enrollment for BlueCross is 3 million, with more than half located in Tennessee.  Members can also enroll in Cord Blood America's "Afford-A-Cord" program which allows for storage at a lower initial fee.

"Tennessee is in the forefront of educating pregnant women about cord blood banking options because of legislation passed in the state," said Matthew Schissler, Cord Blood America CEO and co-founder.  "We are pleased that CorCell, our United States brand, can partner with BlueCross and offer these important, potentially life-saving services, to their members.  We will also be offering courses to nurses and other healthcare professionals on the value of stem cell storage."

Schissler continued, "This agreement is a direct result of focus on organic growth for CBAI. BlueCross is extremely important to us, and we look forward to educating the medical community and families of Tennessee on the importance of cord blood stem cells, all while offering a discount because of our partnership with BlueCross."

Cord blood stem cells are used today to treat more than 70 diseases including leukemia, severe anemia, metabolic blood disorders and immune deficiencies, while research is ongoing to determine the usefulness of stem cells in combating some of the nation's most serious diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's and other diseases for which there is currently no cure.