There are many programs designed to assist transplant recipients with the high cost of transplant related medications. Aside from the programs for Medicare recipients (see previous post) there are several programs administered by non-profit organizations and private groups.
The American Transplant Foundation offers grants for recipients in need. This program provides support to solid organ transplant recipients to ensure they have access to the care that keeps them alive, and to living organ donors so they won’t be in a financial trouble after giving the Gift of Life. This is the only program of its kind nationwide that provides direct financial assistance grants to solid organ transplant recipients and living organ donors, regardless of their legal status.
This program offers three different types of one-time grants:
Transplant Recipient Grant: Support for medication co-payments and delinquent insurance premiums for transplant recipients.
Transplant Recipient Emergency Assistance Grant: Support for essential living expenses that contribute to a successful transplant recovery.
Living Donor Grant: Support for living donors who will experience extreme financial need because of loss of wages during the time needed to recover after surgery.
More information can be found at this link: Patient Assistance Program
National Foundation for Transplants helps organ and tissue transplant candidates and recipients overcome the financial challenges associated with transplantation. NFT offers assistance through fundraising and grant programs for transplant-related costs not covered by public or private insurance. NFT programs are available to patients needing Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) for destination or bridge therapies.
More Information can be found at this link: NFT Patient Portal – NFT Application
Richie’s Spirit Grant – Richie’s Spirit Foundation recognizes the financial burden an organ transplant has on a family. To help alleviate some of these pressures, Richie’s Spirit Foundation has set up Transplant Assistance Grants, which help offset some of the expenses for a family with a child waiting for or who recently received an organ donation. Grants will be awarded in the form of gift cards for gas, airlines, or groceries.
More information can be found at this link: Transplant Assistance Grants — Richie’s Spirit Foundation
UNOS prescription assistance – This is a list of drug manufacturers offering assistance programs. More information can be found at this link: Prescription drug assistance – Transplant Living
This is a list of other financial resources available for transplant recipients, including college scholarships. Financial resources directory – Transplant Living
Ava’s Heart –provides patients, and their families, with housing pre- and post-transplant, co-payments on medications, insurance payments, gas cards for clinic appointments, emotional and psychological support and other resources and refuge.
More information can be found at this link: Transplant Patient Assistance – Ava’s Heart
The National Kidney Foundation offers a list of programs benefitting those living with kidney disease as well as kidney transplants.
More information can be found at this link: Prescription Discount and Assistance Resources | National Kidney Foundation
Second Wind Lung Transplant Association has established a Financial Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance for medical, drug, temporary housing, and other expenses to be incurred by a member of Second Wind which are directly related to pre- or post-lung transplant care.
More information can be found at this link: Financial Assistance Program – Second Wind Lung Transplant Association
Angel Flight www.angelflight.com 12345 E. Skelly Drive Tulsa, OK 74128 918-749-8992 Provides free air transportation on private aircraft for needy people with healthcare problems and for healthcare agencies, organ procurement organizations, blood banks and tissue banks. No fees of any kind. Volunteers serving the public since 1983.
This list is all of the transplant assistance programs that I could find. If anyone reading this has information about additional assistance programs, please make a note of it in the comments, or reach out to me through the contact link so I can update this post.
Dawn Levitt, Author 