Options to Consider for Financing a Transplant
Nowadays, transplantation is one of the most relevant medical procedures all over the world. The final cost of the required transplant and consequent medical care vary by location, organ type, insurance coverage, hospital, and other related factors. As a result, it will be quite costly when adding up all expenditures.
Generally, only a few patients can afford to cover all the transplantation costs on their own. However, there are a lot of options and sources that help you pay for all the necessary expenses of the procedure.
Private Health Insurance
Besides the possession of basic health insurance coverage through a personal policy or an employer, many insurance companies offer additional coverage for transplantation. Basically, the terms and special benefits vary from company to company.
Thus, it's necessary to read your policy carefully and ask questions about all possible costs, including follow-up care, lab tests, and medications.
It's important to mention that you're responsible for other additional costs not covered by health insurance. It's essential to pay them off on time. Otherwise, you're likely to lose your coverage.
Insurance Marketplace or Insurance "Exchange"
The marketplace consists of health care plans regulated and standardized by the Government of the United States. Coverage usually starts in January, so that it's necessary to enroll in the program at the start of October.
The non-profit lending organizations can help you obtain the required sum for covering all the medical and non-medical costs. It's a good option to consider if you don't qualify for the programs listed above.
In contrast to traditional funding institutions, such as banks or credit unions, online lenders offer you to acquire the necessary funds by applying for medical loans with bad credit. The repayment terms and other related rates and fees are always negotiable with the chosen direct lender.
The federal health insurance program is available for people of at least 65 years old, disabled, or possessors of ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease). The plan doesn't usually cover all the medical expenses.
Hospitals and other health providers can help you with paying the uncovered costs of medical procedures. In your turn, you'll be responsible for paying additional charges.
The most well-known national program is SHIP – the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It offers continuous assistance and advisory support to people with Medicare, as well as their families. It's required to contact your social worker or financial coordinator to find out more details related to your transplantation and financing.
The organizations offer a wide range of support, including informing you about diseases, transplants, and organs, as well as researching the most appropriate treatments. However, a charitable organization can't cover all of an individual patient's costs, but it undoubtedly can provide you with limited funding support.
You're able to qualify for grants or direct funding that will cover some of your costs, e.g., food, lodging, medication, or even direct transplant costs.
Public Fundraising Campaigns
It's a perfect solution if you don't have the opportunity to get financial support from medical insurance companies. But before you start seeking donations and conducting a public campaign, it's necessary to check and discuss your intentions with your city or county government, as well as legal advisors or a transplant team. There are a lot of legal and financial guidelines and laws you need to comply with.
If you’ve decided to begin the campaign, it's better to contact different newspapers, radio, or television stations to promote your cause. Local merchants, chapters of volunteer or service groups and communities, and other sponsors are also able to help you with advertisements and significantly contribute to your events.
The program is available for veterans' families. Each active-duty service member or retired military personnel can apply for the program and get the needed government funding. Although, it has specific selection criteria that applicants should meet. That's why it's important to pre-authorize by submitting a medical summary provided by a personal attending physician.