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 cap 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 medications?
- What is the co-pay amount?
Questions to ask your transplant financial counselor and transplant coordinator:
- 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 the Cleveland Clinic 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 medication costs
- Post-transplant follow-up tests and appointments
For More Information
The Cleveland Clinic Transplant Financial Counselor
216.444.9286 or 800.223.2273 ext. 49286
National Foundation for Transplants
5350 Poplar Ave,
Suite 430 Memphis, TN 38119
Ph: 901.684.1697 / 800.489.3863
National Transplant Assistance Fund
150 N. Radnor Chester Road,
Suite F-120 Radnor, PA 19087
Ph: 800.642.8399 or 610.527.5056
email: NTAF@transplantfund.org
Transplant Foundation, Inc.
701 SW 27th Ave,
Ste 705 Miami, FL 33135
Ph: 800.489.3863 / 901.684.1697
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 216.444.6996. We will be happy to answer your questions.