The Transplant Experience Newsletter 26 April 2011

*The following is the latest newsletter from The Transplant Experience, a division of Astellas Pharmaceuticals.


Building A Transplant Financial Plan

The medical costs associated with the transplant procedure—as well as any pre-operative evaluations—can add up quickly. Key to preparing for transplant is understanding the costs and building a financial strategy that ensures access to the healthcare you need.

1. Consider all medical costs

Probably the largest medical expense you will face as a new transplant recipient is post-operative monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU). Other costs for medical care include the following1:

• Transplant evaluation and follow-up care

• Insurance deductibles and co-payments

• Travel, food, and lodging while at the transplant center

• Costs of a person to accompany you


2. Seek financial guidance

It is important to remember that the success of any transplant financial plan rests in knowing where to turn for help. Your transplant team, in addition to offering resources and emotional guidance, can provide this much-needed direction.

As you begin planning for your transplant, your transplant social worker can be your partner in helping you figure out where you stand financially. Then, together, you can set monetary goals and sort through administrative requirements.1

To map out the specifics of your plan, you can look to your transplant financial coordinator to guide you in using patient assistance programs and reimbursement services, understanding the hospital/insurance billing process, and developing solutions to your financial issues.1

3. Communicate with your team

Even with good financial standing, you may need a combination of funding sources to finance your transplant.1 For this reason, it's particularly important that you keep your transplant team informed about progress in meeting your financial planning goals—so, together, you can work to ensure a successful journey ahead.

*You can subscribe to The Transplant Experience newsletter by writing Astellas Pharmaceuticals at http://www.transplantexperience.com/ Look for registration information.