The following information was sent to me by Astellas Pharmaceuticals via their newsletter "The Transplant Experience." Astellas sends this info out to transplant eligible patients as a way to help prepare individuals for the journey ahead.
Planning Financially For Your Transplant
Understanding all you need to do in preparation for a transplant can be intimidating. And budgeting your finances ahead of time is a must. Fortunately, there are many resources to help you along the way.
Understand your transplant costs
Even preparing for your transplant procedure may incur significant costs. It is important to consider all potential expenses, both medical and non-medical.
*Medical costs
-Pre-transplant evaluation and lab tests
-Transplant surgery
-Post-transplant recovery and follow-up care
*Non-medical costs
-Travel, food, and lodging for visits to the transplant center
-Accommodations for a person to accompany you
-Lost wages and income while in recovery
-Child care
Fortunately, many of these expenses are foreseeable. In addition to your financial transplant coordinator, you can look to a number of financial support resources to help you outline your transplant budget.
Meet with your transplant financial coordinator
With a general understanding of what to expect, you are ready to meet with your transplant financial coordinator. This is an opportunity to have your concerns addressed and build a financial plan around your particular financial situation. Be prepared to share your insurance provider information, relevant financial documentation, and, most importantly, any questions you may have. Here are a few to get you started:
*What financial coverage does the hospital accept (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, etc.)?
*Will my insurance require pre approval for any of my treatment?
*What is the average cost for a transplant, including care required before and after the transplant?
*Are there deductible and co-payment amounts? If yes, what are they?
*What can I do if my financial coverage runs out?
*Who will pay for my donor costs? What if I have a living donor?
(Find more questions in the Finances pages of the Support section on http://www.transplantexperience.com/!)
Plan beyond transplant
*With all the immediate concerns and events leading up to transplant, it's easy to put off one of the largest financial considerations post-transplant: your anti-rejection medications.
*Just how important are my anti-rejection medications?
**Your anti-rejection medications, as the name suggests, are critical to preventing rejection of your organ for as long as you are living with a transplant. They are tailored to your body's specific needs, so it's important that you take them exactly as intended for you by your doctor.
The day you receive your transplant should be many things—happy, humbling, heartfelt—not one filled with concern over how you will pay for your immunosuppressants. Fortunately, many pharmaceutical companies offer co-pay cards designed to reduce your medication out-of-pocket costs. Astellas Pharmaceuticals can help! Visit http://www.transplantexperience.com/ for more information.
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