Financial Assistance for Transplant

Any kind of transplant is a very expensive operation.  Even with good insurance coverage, there is usually a large out of pocket cost for travel, lodging, aftercare, over-the-counter medications and supplements, as well as the regular copay costs. 

When I was evaluated for my second heart transplant, one of the requirements to be listed for transplant was to have ten thousand dollars put aside to cover these incidental costs.  The hospital offered meetings with social work to learn about fundraising to achieve that goal.  I was fortunate enough to have saved enough in my 401k to help with my expenses.  After all, what’s the point in saving for retirement if you’re not going to live long enough to retire?

Many transplant recipients and their families struggle with not only the cost of the transplant itself, but also the cost of ongoing medical care and the exorbitant price of transplant medications.  Fortunately, there are some patient assistance programs available.

The American Transplant Foundation has a patient assistance program to cover delinquent insurance premiums, overdue medication co-payments, and essential living expenses.  They have created a downloadable financial resource guide with six pages of resources. Patient Assistance Program (americantransplantfoundation.org)

The Donor Alliance for Organ and Tissue Donation has a list of financial assistance available to transplant patients and their families at this link:  Is Financial Assistance for Transplant Patients Available? – Donor Alliance 

Transplant Living has a list of pharmaceutical companies that help patients with the cost of their immunosuppressive drugs at this link:  Prescription drug assistance – Transplant Living  

Transplant Living posts a guide to the financial costs of an organ transplant and multiple resources to help manage the cost.  They also have created a step-by-step guide for those who are just beginning their journey toward being listed for a transplant.  Costs – Transplant Living 

There are also grants available for those with specific conditions who are waiting for transplant.  The Boomer Esiason Foundation offers grants for those with Cystic Fibrosis who are in need of a lung transplant.  Transplant Grants – The Boomer Esiason Foundation  

Be the Match offers financial assistance for transplant patients.  Paying for Transplant | Be The Match 

Of course, the best avenue is to discuss the costs and your financial needs with the social worker or financial planner at your specific transplant center.  They may have local programs that could offer support. 

In the current for-profit American healthcare system, medical costs can seem overwhelming, and the cost of an organ transplant can be greater than $1 million.  Even with insurance, the costs that are not covered are significant.  But don’t despair because help may be available.  My hope is that this list will assist someone who otherwise might not have been able to receive the gift of life.