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 financial counselor 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 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 financial counselor
- 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
For more information
Cleveland Clinic
Transplant Financial Counselor
216.444.9286 or 800.223.2273, ext. 49286
National Foundation for Transplants
1102 Brookfield Road Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38119
800.489.3863 or 901.684.1697
National Transplant Assistance Fund
150 N. Radnor Chester Road Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087
800.642.8399
The Tiger Fund
Helping Needy Organ Donor and Transplant Families
Transplant Foundation, Inc.
701 W. 27th Ave. Suite 704
Miami, FL 33135
305.817.5645 or 866.900.3172
© Copyright 1995-2009 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
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