Dr. Adam Pourcho extols the benefits of stem cells and regenerative medicine for healing joints without surgery. As long as you are 18 years of age and meet health requirements you can be considered a candidate for treatment. dont do it. The second oddity? No, none would have the requsite credentials to be trained. Guess what: I wrote that at 11pm on the 26th and they responded that night too. The Mayo Clinics regenerative medicine program, for example, focuses conditions such asarthritis, where injections pose few serious risks, even if thats not yet the standard of care, Shapiro said. There are two issues. I'm jogging on the treadmill and back to snow skiing. However, it is important to read the fine print carefully, as these plans may also have higher copays, coinsurance and deductibles. Many patients have found this treatment to be an effective way to manage chronic pain and improve overall health. Patients may also be required to pay a coinsurance amount, which is a percentage of the total cost of the service. In a 2013 paper, researchers described the cases of three patients whose pain got dramatically worse after PRP injections. We encourage every patient to bring their x-rays, MRI's and relevant patient records. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. On the invoice above is a treatment plan. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said there is a broad spectrum of stem cell providers, ranging from university scientists leading rigorous clinical trials to doctors who promise stem cells are for just about anything. Hospitals operate somewhere in the middle, Marks said. I was told that instead only the nurse practitioner was available. You get the idea, IMHO, from seeing all of these addresses, Richard Schafer appears to be a medical director for hire. I would not even give them a star. These people who work in this business should be ashamed of themselves. QC Kinetix is the place to go when you've been told invasive surgery is your best option, or after you've tried everything to eliminate the pain and immobility of your condition without success. What will be injected is detailed, but that brings up why its being injected. of course they still hurt from time to time, but my quality of life is excellent now. In addition, the unique set-up of these clinics raises all sorts of fascinating questions. Licensing Information: This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or . Whats interesting here is that no residency training is listed for Dr. Ascencio. The videos cheerleading tone mimics theinfomercialsused to promote stem cell clinics, several of which have recently gotten into hot water with federal regulators, saidDr. Paul Knoepfler, a professor of cell biology and human anatomy at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine. *Results May Vary from Individual to Individual. He also wouldnt qualify to take courses through the IOF, a subspeciality professional organization in Interventional Orthobiologics. Why? Meaning, they dont have the basic background in this area of orthopedics and MSK therapies. Surgery is always a last resort and orthopedic surgeons recognize that. Pourcho, a sports medicine specialist, says he has used platelet injections to treat his own knee pain, as well as a tendon injury in his elbow. No diagnosis really. ", You can find the review here: https://www.google.com/search?q=qc+kinetix+&sxsrf=AOaemvITu_wyEMkyku_D_wzheBCnc2_T9A%3A1643303587471&ei=o9LyYd6dHMiGwbkPtbyxsAI&ved=0ahUKEwie-9r0ttL1AhVIQzABHTVeDCYQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=qc+kinetix+&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBAgjECcyBAgjECcyBAgjECcyEwguEIAEEIcCELEDEMcBEK8BEBQyCggAEIAEEIcCEBQyCwguEIAEEMcBEK8BMgoILhDHARCvARBDMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyCAgAEIAEEMkDOgcIIxCwAxAnOgcIABBHELADSgUIPBIBMkoECEEYAEoECEYYAFCdBVidBWCBCGgCcAJ4AIABmwGIAZsBkgEDMC4xmAEAoAEByAEJwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz. Book an appointment today to see how we can jump start your healing process. Additionally, if you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you may be required to pay more for certain services than if you had Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Supplement, the above-mentioned coinsurance would be covered as well as the cost-sharing under Part A. They told me to give it more time (it has been 7 months since the first shot), but I would expect at this point, for it to be trending better, not worse. The testimonials on this site reflect the real-life experiences and opinions of patients of QC Kinetix. So you have to ask yourself, why is a doctor who works in vein care supervising and providing musculoskeletal care? Meaning, doctors who are actual specialists in interventional orthobiologics have their own practices and in my direct experience, would never permit their licenses to be used to supervise a distant mid-level. The next site I chose at random was Kansas City. *DISCLAIMER: Like all medical procedures, Regenexx Procedures have a success and failure rate. These were his thoughts. A big thank you to QC Kinetix and the wonderful staff for taking care of me and getting me back to doing the things I enjoy. Describe the drug test process at QC Kinetix, if there is one. FDA approval isnt needed and physicians can claim they arent violating federal regulations, Turner said. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of most physical therapy services, so the patient is responsible for the remaining 20%. Brendan Hyland, a gym teacher and track coach, describes withstanding intense heel pain for 18 months before seeing Pourcho. After some research, the first difference from anything else I had seen is that this is a rapidly expanding clinic chain primarily run and staffed by PAs and NPs. The first is Dr. Schaffer, the second is Dr. Garzone. There is no significant downtime after the treatments themselves, but full results of the regenerative medicine protocol are not realized for 6-9 months. But before he did they were able to come up with this boilerplateplan within 10 mins of him stepping in the door. This will NOT work on advanced arthritis, the only remedy for this as of now is surgery. This is significantly higher than the midpoint investment of $274,880. There are two main types of Medicare plans that provide coverage for physical therapy: Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplements. My mother has suffered from the problems of Osteoarthritis for many years now. We have no data that A2M or plasma will help. For doctors and hospitals, stem cells are easy money. Learn more about the alternative pain treatments available at QC Kinetix! He regrets going to QC Kinetics. These plans offer additional coverage for items such as copayments, coinsurance, deductibles and emergency care. Dr.Subramony goes on to recommend gene testing for Ataxia before anything else as there are many more clinical trials more fully understood that can help with pain. Very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. I can use pruning shears without pain, however, my worst finger flairs . Thanks for the input. Before we can quote a price, you'll want to come in for a FREE consultation. Also, straight up ask your orthopedist what he thinks about QC Kinetix. Without insurance at the time, surgery was out of the question. In a joint statement, Pourcho and Swedish defended the online video. A third party credit card company? He will have 2 knee replacements this year. The expertise required to treat a patient like this could only come from a highly trained physician super specialist in interventional spine who would have double the training of a mid-level (NOT a doctor). After almost a week of digging deep, I thought I would share what I found. But the marketing video wasnt filmed by a little-known operator. This is also a smart financial move for the clinic as you can hire a mid-level like a PA or NP for about 1/3 the price of a physician. As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Recently, studies have shown them to be no more effective than placebos. Depending on which Medigap letter plan you enrolled in, you may have zero cost-sharing to pay for Stem Cell Therapy. Photo by Mauricio LIMA/AFP/Getty Images. Whats the actual diagnosis based on this MRI and his physician specialist treating provider? Finally, we come to the biggest issue with this treatment plan, where will all of this stuff be injected? However, unlike Regenexx who spends heavily on lab and clinical research, I can find no outcomes listed on their website or anywhere else. I had bone on bone in one knee. A non-medical salesperson deciding which treatment to sell a patient based on a form filled out by a mid-level is also below my standard of care. This is snake oil 101. Justin Crowell launched QC Kinetix in 2017 with Tyler Vail and Dr. Richard Schaffer, and they began franchising the regenerative medicine concept in 2020. The upshot? While surgery is often suggested to treat hair loss, some people may prefer to explore more natural treatment options. If it were something degenerative you would have had hints before you started playing again. They indicated in the first visit that it really didn't matter what it was. Learn more about what you can expect when becoming a patient. This place is completely worth a visit. When you go to sell a QC Kinetix franchise based on the median multiple of .94 and average sales in 2021 of $1,166,405, it would sell for $1,096,420. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. Buyer beware!. QC Kinetix is a concierge medicine that offers tailored treatment plans for things like arthritis or injury. However after my mother spoke to her Neurologist, her neurologist Dr. Subramony stated "the stem cell approach QC Kinetix does is still sketchy as we cannot connect them the same way the brain normally does." For example, what is the role of a physicians assistant or a nurse practitioner in regenerative medicine? Your individual results may vary, as all medical procedures can be both successful and unsuccessful. Cash, personal check or credit card are accepted forms of payment. When there isnt a Regenexx site I send those patients to people who I know are experts in this area. A Guide to Benefits and Risks. Although doctors hope that platelets will release anti-inflammatory substances, which could theoretically help calm an inflamed joint, they dont know why some patients who receive platelet injections feel better, but others dont. Hes a health care provider himself, so he knows what to expect. In these settings mid-levels run counter to the purpose of the practice. Yeah that's what threw me off, they went straight to arthritis after a brief examination. Near as I can tell, there are two. I know others have mentioned that this company is "growing too fast", and that inherently is a negative. While hospital-based stem cell treatments may be legal, theres nostrong evidencethey work, said Leigh Turner, an associate professor at the University of Minnesotas Center for Bioethics who has published a series of articles describing the size and dynamics of thestem cell market. Meaning, that while adding procedures to the patients plan may maximize clinic income, thats usually not medically appropriate. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you. In my 50 years I have made some poor purchases but this is without question the stupidest thing I have ever done. Florida resident Kathy Walsh, 61, said she wasted nearly $10,000 on stem cell and platelet injections at a Miami clinic, hoping to avoid knee replacement surgery. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. QC Kinetix has no published outcomes of procedures performed at its sites. Medicare Part B covers many types of physical therapy, including QC Kinetix treatments. It looks like he did an osteopathic residency in internal medicine and hence this board is listed on his SC license page, but not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your licensed health care provider. All rights reserved. While it was possible to see Dr. Schaefer, it would depend on which package the clinic thought I needed as he was only there on an intermittent basis. Check it out if you want its some defensive stuff. I would get a second opinion and make sure its not an overuse injury from ramping up too fast. We treat everyone from weekend warriors and professional athletes to active aging patients who want to stay active. He should have never been told he was a candidate. They did not. The good news is that I can now cut vegetables and prepare dinner every night without being in pain and without a flair up the next day. Find Reviews, Ratings, Directions, Business Hours, Contact Information and book online appointment. She heard of this treatment from a radio ad and went in for a "free" consultation. People will say, If you inject PRP, you will return to sports faster, said Dr. Freddie Fu, chairman of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Four months after the injections, he says, he was pain-free and has since gone on a 40-mile hike. But, in our experience, other than some localized soreness for a day or two, most people don't experience any major issues with regenerative medicine therapies. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. These plans often include additional coverage, such as vision and dental, and may offer lower out-of-pocket costs. We do not claim, and you should not assume, that all users will have the same experiences. I have been watching this procedure for many years and after 17 years of pain I decided to give it a shot. Not really as thats just taking the plasma from the blood. I did get about 50% pain relief but had been hopeful for more. Published on May 7, 2022 I've blogged a few times about a clinic chain run by mid-levels offering low-level regenerative medicine care and charging top dollar. He went to the ortho, which he acknowledges should have been step one. I am a veteran, in the government and also clergy.I believed their representative like I hope people put trust in the words I speak.but everyone's intentions are not always as honest as I would like to believe.Disappointed for sure. People should be aware that they are not using anything. I am not someone who is against stem cell research or work, I actually told my mother the potential is very high and she should go in for the consultation as I know the benefits certain Multipotent cells can have as a UF graduate applying to Medical Schools. We are pleased to announce that kanetix.ca has changed its name to ratesdotca. IMHO a mid-level has no business acting as a director of a program that has physicians working within it. Thanks. Tap or click the markers below to learn more. Improve energy, muscle strength, endurance, and appropriate weight loss with hormone replacement therapy. However, the experiences are personal to those particular patients, and may not necessarily be representative of all of our patients. Its the poor mans approach to biotechnology.. After telling QC Kinetix of this and our choice to not go through with the treatment, they began to BLACK BALL my mother by telling us they already charged a third-party credit card company known as Green Sky 10,000$ for the treatment. It worked. Why use mid-levels instead of physicians? This has been a life changing experience for me. These treatments may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, postural training, gait training and balance training. However, the experiences are personal to those particular patients, and may not necessarily be representative of all of our patients. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. In my opinion, this is an aggressive sales outfit that runs clinics staffed by mid-levels (Not a doctor). When considering whether to use Medicare to pay for QC Kinetix treatments, it is important to compare the benefits and costs of different plans. It preys on peoples desperation.. This is the Ashville site in a strip mall. These reviews take a long time to put together. While not all patients may be candidates for all therapies, we will help guide you to make the most appropriate decisions for your particular condition. It preys on the poor and unsuspecting that really need help for pain and attacks them if they do not follow through on the "experimental" methods they use. Estimated Selling Price = Net Sales * 0.94. During this consultation they do PRP (plasma injections) which is suppose to be the first part of their Non-Surgical regeneration. I had already spoken to several QC Kinetix sites and confirmed the mid-level centric clinic design, but pinning him down on that was difficult. As others mentioned, they often do platelete rich plasma treatment at their clinic as well as traditional physical therapy. The results were a flop. It looks like she only did an internship year. All they wanted was our money. Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News. If you have questions or comments about this blog post, please email us at [emailprotected]. I recommend this process to anyone that wants to get away from pain meds, steroid injections, and the dreaded surgery. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.