During the transplant evaluation process, you will meet with a financial counselor at your transplant center. You will need to have enough insurance for your transplant. Having insurance will help make sure you have a smooth pre-transplant and post-transplant care process.
Primary Insurance
Your primary source of insurance may be through:
- Your workplace
- Medicare – A federal medical insurance program for people age 65 and older, and some people under age 65 with certain disabilities or conditions
- Medicaid – A joint federal and state program that gives health coverage to some people with limited income and resources
If you are on dialysis, you are probably eligible for Medicare. If you have Medicare, you can apply for social security insurance (SSI) or disability benefits to help with costs.
Secondary Insurance
You may also need a secondary insurance, such as through Medicare supplement (Medigap) or Medicaid.
Understand Your Insurance
It is important to understand certain parts of your insurance plan. You need to know if you have a deductible, co-insurance, or any out-of-pocket expenses, as well as prescription drug coverage. Also, your insurance plan may require that you go to a specific transplant center for your transplant evaluation.
When you meet with the financial counselor at your transplant center, talk with them about:
- Your current health insurance coverage, including any limits in coverage that may affect your pre-transplant and post-transplant care
- If you need any supplemental or secondary insurance, and how to apply
Fundraising
Some people hold fundraisers, such as through GoFundMe, to raise money for their transplant. If you want to do this, discuss this with the financial counselor at your transplant center. Money you get through fundraisers are considered income and can cause you to lose your Medicaid benefits.
Medicine costs
Your transplant coordinator or pharmacist may know of assistance programs from some pharmaceutical companies that may help with medicine costs.
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