|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

Financial Help for Transplant Patients

If you are a transplant patient, you probably will need financial help, even if you have insurance. Not only must you cover the cost of transplant evaluation and surgery, but also the cost of care while waiting for and recovering from surgery and the cost of immunosuppressant medication after the operation. There are also indirect costs, such as transportation and child care, which can add up and must be considered. Fortunately, a number of organizations can provide assistance.

  1. Research

    • Before you begin to seek financial help, you need to take stock of your personal resources. Read your insurance plan details carefully so that you know what is and isn't covered, maximum coverage limits and other pertinent information. You may need to speak to someone at your insurance company to get help understanding your coverage details. If so, always make notes of your conversations so that you will have them for reference; include the date, time, name and telephone number of the person with whom you spoke. Ask if your case can be assigned to a single contact person. You also will need to take stock of your financial assets, including savings accounts and life insurance policies. The National Marrow Donor Program has developed a booklet that can help guide you through the financial questions you may face as a transplant patient.

    Seeking Help

    • A number of different organizations may be able to provide you with assistance. This can include educational assistance, financial assistance and assistance with prescription medications. Some of the organizations work only with a particular type of patient; for example, the Children's Organ Transplant Association works only with pediatric patients, while the Nielsen Organ Transplant Foundation serves only patients in Northeast Florida. For information on assistance with prescription medication, contact the manufacturer of the medication you require. You may qualify for assistance with prescriptions you need in addition to immunosuppressants.

    Fund Raising

    • You may be eligible to apply for grants or other types of assistance, including donations from friends and family members and various organizations. Before you begin to apply for funds, however, it is a good idea to find out how receiving these funds will affect any insurance coverage you already have. Receiving outside funding could limit your insurance benefits, especially if you receive Medicaid. If you want friends and family members to be able to make donations for you that are tax deductible, you have to work with the proper type of charitable organization. You also need to know if and how your personal finances will be affected by accepting grants or other types of assistance; your income taxes, for example, may be affected. Always keep any financial help you receive in an account separate from your personal or family finances.

Health Insurance - Related Articles