Private Grants for Liver-Transplant Patients

Liver transplants are the second most commonly done organ transplants in the United States, according to emedicinehealth.com. This means that liver disease is a serious problem, and transplants will continue to be necessary for advanced-stage liver problems.

There is a lot involved in getting a liver transplant, including qualifying for a transplant, finding an appropriate donor and going through with the procedure. However, one of the main considerations is cost, particularly for those who may be uninsured or have inadequate health coverage.

Liver Transplant Necessity

• A liver transplant is necessary when a patient is likely to die from liver failure. The American Liver Foundation lists cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C as the most common reason for a person to require a liver transplant. Cirrhosis causes scarring and then the death of liver cells. Diseases that affect the liver bile ducts and liver cancer are other reasons for liver transplants.

Average Cost

• Obviously, it is extremely expensive to receive a liver transplant. Transplantliving.com calculated the average cost to receive a liver transplant in 2008. The total came to $523,400. This included medical fees, procuring the liver and the immuno-suppressant drugs needed after the procedure.

Need for Help With Costs

• Although many patients have private insurance or are covered under Veterans Affairs or Medicare, it is extremely rare that all expenses for a liver transplant would be covered. If you are covered by Medicaid, check with your state to determine whether a transplant is covered. Even with insurance there will be co-pays, which can add up over the long term. Therefore, finding private grants and financial help is essential.

Tiger Transplant Fund

• Tigerfund.org operates a website to promote its Tiger Transplant Fund. This is a charitable organization that assists patients in need of organ donation. This fund is available to patients in Florida, Colorado and California. You can print out an application for one-time financial assistance from the Tigerfund.org website.

National Transplant Assistance Fund

• The National Transplant Assistance Fund is available to help organ-transplant patients throughout the United States. It offers private-grant assistance, such as $1,000 challenge grants for eligible patients. A challenge grant will match funds a patient is able to raise through online donations, up to $1,000. The National Transplant Assistance Fund will also assist patients with other ideas to raise money and provide ongoing support.

C.L.A.S.S.

• Another private grant organization for liver patients, Children's Liver Association For Support Services, is designed to help pediatric liver transplant patients as well as their families. The C.L.A.S.S. financial support program is available to help patients up to age 21. This program basically helps with more minor expenses such as transportation, co-pays, food and hospital parking fees. You can go to the C.L.A.S.S. website, classkids.org, and request information on the program. The official request for aid must be sent on your behalf to C.L.A.S.S. by a hospital or social worker who is familiar with the family's financial situation.