Financing Transplantation
The cost of a transplant and follow-up care varies across the country
and by organ type. Even before your transplant, these costs can add up
quickly. Few patients are able to pay all of the costs of
transplantation from a single source. Most likely, you will have to rely
on several sources to help pay for all of the medical and non-medical
costs of pre- and post-transplantation.
Transplantation is a covered
expense for most insurance companies. The costs of transplantation
varies on a case by case basis and is negotiated with the individual
insurance carriers by the transplant financial counselor. One of the
biggest costs is the length of time you spend in the Intensive Care Unit
(ICU). The ICU is a hospital unit that has specially trained nurses and
special equipment to monitor and maintain you immediately after your
transplant. The length of time you spend in the ICU will depend on how
sick you were before surgery and how quickly you recover after surgery.
You may want to ask your transplant team how recovery times vary at your
center.
You or your family may have health insurance coverage through an
employer or a personal policy. Many insurance companies offer at least
optional coverage for transplant costs. However, the terms and extent of
insurance coverage vary widely. Usually, insurance companies will pay
about 80 percent of your hospital charges. This means that you are
responsible for the remaining 20 percent from other sources until you
reach your "out-of-pocket" limit.
Your transplant team realizes that the costs associated with
transplantation can seem overwhelming. There are many funding
alternatives which can be explored including private funds, insurance,
government funding, fund raising campaigns, and charitable
organizations. Your transplant center's financial counselor will work
with you to resolve the financial concerns you or your family may have.
Make good use of the members of your transplant team. They are valuable
resources for you and your caregiver.
Ways to Obtain and Keep Health Insurance
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Needy Meds - Information Regarding Free Medications
Drug Assistance Program by State
Advocacy Groups
Cobra
Fundraising Campaigns
High Risk Insurance Pools
Medicaid Coverage
Medicaid Director's Directory
Medicare
Pharmaeutical Payment Assistance
Private Insurance
Transplant Financial Resources
Transplant Living
