A pre-transplant evaluation includes a complete physical, meetings with members of the Lung Transplant Team, and a series of tests. The evaluation might take several visits.

The pre-transplant evaluation is performed to make sure you are physically able to undergo a transplant. The evaluation helps the Transplant Team identify and treat any potential problems before the transplant, as well as avoid potential complications after the transplant.

The pre-transplant screening is first performed to make sure a lung transplant is the right treatment for you.

Before your pre-transplant screening

Before your pre-transplant screening, a transplant coordinator will contact you and your doctor to gather important information about your medical condition. This information includes:

  • Brief medical history, including medicines
  • Pulmonary function studies
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan and/or chest X-ray, if performed in the last year
  • Insurance information

Once this information is received, a transplant coordinator will contact you for a telephone interview to further discuss your medical history and lung disease.

The day of your screening appointment

Your screening appointment day will begin with a series of breathing tests, discussion of your medical history, and a physical examination. You will also meet with members of the Lung Transplant Team, including the pulmonologist, transplant coordinator, financial coordinator, and social worker.

You might have to answer similar questions with each team member. Please be patient. Although the questions are similar, each specialist is concerned with a specific aspect of your health and will gain a different perspective of your lung disease.

During the pre-transplant screening

During the pre-transplant screening, you will have several X-rays, laboratory tests, and breathing tests (called spirometry tests) to make sure you are eligible for a lung transplant.

The spirometry tests provide information about the extent of your lung disease and how well your lungs function. The tests are not painful, but might be uncomfortable. You will also meet with a transplant pulmonologist (a staff doctor with extensive training and experience in lung disease and transplantation). The pulmonologist will ask you questions about your condition.

The screening generally lasts most of the day. If the results of the screening evaluation indicate you are eligible for a lung transplant, you will be scheduled for a pre-transplant evaluation.

Testing

Lab testing will be completed during your pre-transplant evaluation appointment. This testing will include a nicotine/cotinine blood level. This test indicates whether you are smoking, chewing tobacco or nicotine gum, using inhaled nicotine products, or are exposed to second-hand smoke. The International Guidelines for Lung Transplant Candidacy require a patient to be nicotine-free for six months before undergoing an evaluation for transplantation.

Insurance information

It is the responsibility of you and your referring doctor to have insurance approval in place for your screening appointment. Please notify your insurance company of your pre-transplant screening appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center. Make sure your insurance company will provide coverage for the pre-transplant screening. (Many insurance companies will only provide coverage at specified centers.)

More information about insurance coverage will be provided on the day of your pre-transplant evaluation appointment.

Social worker

You might see a social worker during your evaluation appointment. Social workers can provide personal support to you and your family throughout the transplantation process. Social workers also offer:

  • Counseling regarding lifestyle changes
  • Referrals to community and national agencies and support groups that offer both information and support to transplant patients
  • Information about home care services

Patient Financial Advocate

You will meet with a Patient Financial Advocate who can review your insurance coverage for pre- and post-transplant expenses. The Patient Financial Advocate also can provide information about Social Security disability, supplemental security income, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Lung Transplant - Financial Questions

If you have been approved for a lung transplant and are going to be placed on the organ waiting list, you will need to prepare yourself financially and clarify your insurance coverage while you wait for your transplant.

The transplant Patient Financial Advocate and the transplant coordinator are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns, but you will also need to contact your insurance company to clarify your coverage. The following questions will help you sort out your insurance coverage and help you plan for the expenses of transplantation.

Questions for your insurance company:

  • What part of the transplant cost is covered? How does this apply to my deductible?
  • What is the deductible on my insurance coverage? What happens if my financial coverage runs out?
  • How can I cut down on insurance expenses to make sure my coverage lasts as long as I need it?
  • How will a change in my job status affect my insurance? What would the increase be in my deductible?
  • What pre- and post-transplant tests are covered? Do I need to go to a certain facility for these tests to be covered?
  • Does my plan cover the expenses incurred by my organ donor?
  • Are assistive breathing devices covered by my insurance plan?
  • Are expenses for food, housing, and transportation covered while I wait for my transplant?
  • How much coverage will I receive for post-transplant medicines? What is the co-pay amount?

Questions to ask your transplant Patient Financial Advocate:

  • What financial coverage is accepted by the hospital (such as Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance)?
  • How much will the transplant cost? How much will I have to pay?

Transplant-related expenses to consider:

  • Loss of income due to leave of absence from work
  • Child care (if appropriate)
  • Transportation to and from Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center for you and your support person
  • Emergency visits to the Transplant Center
  • Parking expenses for visits to the Transplant Center
  • Accommodation expenses or temporary housing expenses associated with being accessible to the Transplant Center (for you and family members)
  • Long-distance telephone expenses if relocation is necessary (to be more accessible to the Transplant Center)
  • Food expenses for family support person
  • Post-transplant medicine costs
  • Post-transplant follow-up tests and appointments