Transplant FAQs

Transplant FAQs

Frequently asked questions regarding your transplant and our Transplant Center:

Is there anything I should do while I am still home?

Yes, there are several important things we ask patients to take care of before they leave home for the transplant center. Make sure that you have complied with any pre-certification or second surgical opinion policies required by your health insurance carrier or employer. Please contact your insurance or employer for pre-admission instructions as soon as possible.

Be sure to advise the person making your hospital reservation and the Patient Access Services Department interviewer if pre-admission certification is required. When you have your pre-admission interview, we will take down all the necessary information then.

You may choose to use Cleveland Clinic's Dial Express pre-registration service, which expedites your interview on the day of your Cleveland Clinic visit. Call 216.445.7377 or 800.223.2273 ext. 57377 within 48 hours of your admission.

Does Cleveland Clinic accept Medicare Assignments?

Yes. As of April 1, 1990, all Cleveland Clinic physicians accept Medicare assignments for fees and services covered by Medicare B (medical insurance). Patients are still responsible for the annual deductible and 20 percent co-payment.

Accepting assignment significantly reduces patients’ out-of-pocket expenses.

How do I get to Cleveland Clinic's Transplant Center?

Please call our automated direction line at 216.444.9500. If you are arriving at the Cleveland Hopkins airport, it is approximately 40 minutes away; Burke Lakefront airport is approximately 20 minutes away.

Where should I go when I arrive at Cleveland Clinic main campus?

For a routine hospital admission, please come to the main entrance of Cleveland Clinic, which is located on Clinic Drive, near the intersection of Euclid Avenue and E. 93rd Street. Please check in at Desk H10 in the hospital lobby.

Where should I park at the Transplant Center?

The closest parking garage to Cleveland Clinic is the Euclid Avenue Parking Garage. One entrance is on Euclid Avenue, between E. 93rd Street (Clinic Drive) and E. 96th Street. If you are being driven to the Transplant Center you may have your driver bring you to the hospital’s main entrance in Clinic Drive, before the car is parked. Wheelchairs are available at the hospital entrance. There is no charge for parking on the days of admission, discharge or surgery.

Hospital Accommodations

May I request a specific room beforehand?

Cleveland Clinic has semi-private and private rooms. For some patients, we also offer the Founders Suites (G71), which are elegant suites with their own food service. There is an extra charge for a private room or one of the Founders Suites. We make every effort during admission to provide you with the type of room you desire. However, it is not possible to guarantee a specific accommodation beforehand, because room assignment is based on availability on the day of admission.

Do all rooms at the Transplant Center have a telephone and television?

Yes. A telephone and color television are provided with all rooms. There is a small daily fee for these services. You will know your telephone number when you check in your room.

What hotels are near the Transplant Center?

Cleveland Clinic offers lodging alternatives for out-of-town families and friends of patients admitted to our hospital. The Intercontinental Hotel provides full-service elegance. Some rooms have kitchenettes. For reservations call 877.707.8999.

The Alcazar Hotel, located in Cleveland Heights, provides economical long-term lodging. For reservations call 216.321.5400.

Parents of pediatric and adolescent patients may stay at the economically priced Ronald McDonald House, an independently run home-away-from-home, only a short distance from the Cleveland Clinic campus. For reservations call 216.229.5758.

A Cleveland Clinic shuttle bus runs between Cleveland Clinic buildings, including the Omni Hotel and the Ronald McDonald House.

If you need additional information on hotels in the area near the Transplant Center, contact a Guest Adviser at 216.445.9573 or 216.445.2638.

What should I bring or not bring with me to the Transplant Center?

Please bring a supply of all prescription medications you are taking; pajamas or nightgown if you prefer to wear your own; a bathrobe and slippers; toothbrush, toothpaste, razor and other personal hygiene supplies. We ask that all nail polish, nail tips, wraps and gels be removed before your arrival because the nurses may need to check your nails to monitor your oxygen level. If you wear contact lenses, please bring a pair of eyeglasses with you too.

Please leave all jewelry and valuables (even items of sentimental value) at home. It is best to leave credit cards and large amounts of cash at home.

Be sure to bring all your health insurance identification cards with you to the Transplant Center. This is the best way to make sure we have the correct information necessary to bill your insurance company.

Do you provide special services for people with disabilities?

Yes. We provide a number of special services for hospitalized patients with disabilities. These include sign language, interpreters, closed captioned TV converters and portable teletype equipment. During the admission procedure, please let our Registrars know if you need any of these services, and we will do our best to provide them at the Transplant Center.

Is smoking allowed in the Transplant Center?

No. Cleveland Clinic has a strong commitment to all our patients’ and employees’ good health. To keep the environment smoke-free, there is no smoking in patients’ rooms or within any building on campus. There are designated smoke areas off hospital grounds.

Financial FAQs

Financial FAQs

If you have been approved for a 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 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 Patient Financial Advocate 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 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 medication costs
  • Post-transplant follow-up tests and appointments

More Information

Cleveland Clinic Transplant Patient Financial Advocate
Phone: 216.444.9286
Toll-free: 800.223.2273 ext. 49286

Children's Organ Transplant Association
2501 West COTA Dr.
Bloomington, IN 47403
Toll-free: 800.366.2682
Email: cota@cota.org

National Foundation for Transplants
5350 Poplar Ave.
Suite 430
Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: 901.684.1697
Toll-free: 800.489.3863

Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Rd
Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: 800.642.8399

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 216.444.6996. We will be happy to answer your questions.

Resources & Links

Resources & Links

This page contains links to websites and transplantation resources operated by other parties. The transplantation links are provided for your convenience only.

We do not control such websites and we are not responsible for the content and performance of these transplantation sites. The inclusion of links to other transplantation websites does not imply any endorsement of the material on the websites or any association with their operators.

Cleveland Clinic does not operate, control or endorse any information, products or services provided by third parties through the Internet. Use of other sites is strictly at your own risk including any risks associated with destructive viruses.

Please remember that medical information provided by Cleveland Clinic, in the absence of a visit with a health care professional, must be considered as an educational service for potential transplantation patients.

The information sent through e-mail should not be relied upon as a medical consultation. This mechanism is not designed to replace a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a transplantation procedure for a given patient. We will do our best to provide you with information that will help you make your own health care decisions regarding transplantation.

(Each site opens up in a new browser window.)

Transplantation and Organ Donation Resources On the Internet

Organizations for Transplant Professionals

Other Transplantation Sites

Treatment Guides

Looking for reliable information on specific diseases and conditions? Cleveland Clinic offers many free treatment guides covering a broad range of health conditions including transplantation information.

One click will start you on the path to becoming a more informed patient.

Get Expert Insights

Transplant Hospitality Housing

Transplant Hospitality Housing

Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center offers Transplant Housing at the following locations.

Please note: When calling to make a reservation at any of these locations, inform them you are a Cleveland Clinic patient so as to get the special Cleveland Clinic rate.

The InterContinental Hotel Cleveland

Connected to Cleveland Clinic's campus via walkway, the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland offers luxurious non-smoking guest rooms and suites.
Guest rooms feature:

  • Dual-line phone with data port
  • Wired and wireless high-speed Internet access
  • 42-inch flat screen TV
  • In-room safe
  • Voicemail

In addition, concierge services and a workout facility with sauna are available 24 hours a day

Location: 9801 Carnegie Avenue | Cleveland, OH 44106
Hours: 24 hours
Phone: 216.707.4100
Reservations Only:
Toll-free: 877.707.8999

The InterContinental Suites Hotel

Located on the Cleveland Clinic main campus, the newly redesigned InterContinental Suites Hotel offers the only “wellness focused” hotel in Cleveland seeking to create an oasis for our guests to relax, rejuvenate and improve their overall mental and physical well-being.

All new one- and two-bedroom non-smoking suites have been specifically designed to provide a comfortable, stress-free stay including:

  • Spacious living and dining room areas with queen sofa beds and recliner chairs
  • Refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee makers and wet bar
  • iHome radios that connect to iPod or MP3 players
  • Upgrades to bath amenities
  • 37” flat screen HD plasma televisions
  • C2 restaurant, bar and lounge – Mediterranean inspired cultural cuisine along with classic American favorites
  • Wi-Fi lounge features complimentary high speed internet access
  • Ambassador floor – upgraded amenities and services
  • PURE allergy friendly rooms – specially designed for allergy-afflicted travelers

Location: 8800 Euclid Avenue | Cleveland, OH 44106
Hours: 24 hours
Phone: 216.707.4300
Reservations Only:
Toll-free: 877.707.8999

Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic

Located on the Cleveland Clinic main campus, travelers to the new Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic appreciate our finer touches that make comfort and convenience a top priority.

Guest rooms feature:

  • 43" flat screen HD Plasma televisions
  • Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access
  • Spacious and well-appointed work space
  • Refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room safe
  • Coffee maker
  • Recliner chair or chair/ottoman

Studio Suites also offer:

  • Wet Bar
  • Microwave

Additional amenities and services include indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, media lounge, Market 24 "grab & go", Mocé Cafe and Bar, seasonal outdoor patio dining, valet dry-cleaning and self-service guest laundry.

Location: 8650 Euclid Avenue l Cleveland, OH 44106
Hours: 24 hours
Phone: 216.707.4200
Reservations Only:
Toll-free: 844.748.2877

The Transplant House of Cleveland

Transplant House of Cleveland is a home-away-from-home in the University Circle area of Cleveland that provides temporary, affordable housing in a home-like environment for organ transplant patients and their families while they visit Cleveland for medical care. The Transplant House currently offers these accommodations and amenities:

  • 15 private apartment suites, each with Bath, Kitchen, Living Room, and Porch
  • Three suites has two bedrooms; the others have one bedroom that contains two beds
  • Community space in the Transplant House Office Suite
  • Complimentary laundry facilities
  • Wireless Internet
  • Free parking
  • Hospital shuttle accessibility from Hope Lodge, next door
  • Caring staff and volunteers

Location: 2007 E. 115th Street | Cleveland, OH 44106
Hours: 24 hours
Phone: 216.938.9553
Reservations Only: 216.938.9553

Additional information about nearby accommodations, including parking, proximity to main campus, cost, etc., can be viewed by downloading the documents listed below:

You may also contact Cleveland Clinic's medical concierge at 216.445.5580.

Support Groups

Support Groups

If you’ve received an organ transplant or are in need of an organ transplant, there are organ transplantation support groups available to you and your family to help deal with the organ transplantation waiting process, preparation for the organ transplant, and adjusting to the new lifestyle after your organ transplant.

TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization)

Monthly support groups for candidates and recipients of organ transplants, their family members and any interested individuals.

Phone: 440.473.897 (Greater Cleveland)
Phone: 330.754.7904 (Akron/Canton)
Website: TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization)
Local Chapter: Akron/Canton TRIO

Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc.

The Transplant Education program is designed to assist pre-transplant and post-transplant patients in understanding the importance of complying with their prescribed life-style regime of exercise, diet and medication. Meetings are held monthly on the second Tuesday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Kidney Foundation.

If anyone is interested in attending, please call 216.771.2700.
Website: Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc.

Bone Marrow Transplant Support Groups

For Bone Marrow transplant patients, their families and friends. Meetings are held Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Cleveland Clinic main campus in the M50 Lounge.

Contact:
Linda McLellan, LISW - 216.444.5079
Jane Dabney, LISW - 216.445.2483.

Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Joint Support Group

For disease-specific support and life after bone marrow transplant.
Quarterly group support

If anyone is interested in attending, please call 216.910.1201.
Website: Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Joint Support Group