Financial Considerations for Liver Transplant

Liver transplant costs may be covered by a health insurance policy, a managed care plan, a government medical assistance plan or other means. We work with a full range of third-party payers and will work with you to develop a financial plan for your particular coverage. The evaluation and testing, as well as the surgery, hospitalization, follow-up care and medications are included in the transplant costs. A patient’s insurance coverage plays a vital role, whether it is through a private company or a governmental program. It is important that each patient’s family fully understands the amount of financial coverage that is available.

Here are some of the most important questions to ask your insurance company as you begin to consider transplant as a treatment option.

• Is transplant a covered benefit?
• Is there a maximum allowance on transplant and transplant-related services?
• Is there a maximum allowance on the procurement of the organ?
• Is there a lifetime maximum or “cap” on the policy?
• Is there adequate coverage for post-transplant medications?
• What is the annual “out-of-pocket” maximum amount on the policy?

In the event that the patient does not have access to adequate insurance coverage for transplant, there may be other avenues to obtain support to offset the expenses related to transplantation. These include charitable organizations, advocacy groups or fundraising campaigns. For more information, please contact the UAMS Health Liver Transplant Financial Coordinator at 501-686-6644 or 800-552-8026.