http://www.wctv.tv/medicalminute/interviewheadlines/47870982.htmlBecause the Xiao procedure is experimental, is it not covered by insurance?

Dr. Tuite: For patients with spinal cord injury, it is not covered by insurance, and research grants are pending all around the country, and we’re hoping that some funding will become available for those patients. For the patients with spina bifida, if they otherwise need an operation, then they can be enrolled in the study. The hospital has offered to not charge them any additional fees for the extra Xiao procedure, and of course, none of the surgeons or physicians are charging anything extra. The short answer then is yes, patients that otherwise need spinal cord surgery can be enrolled.