You should check to see what kind of insurance your state offers for kidney patients.

What state do you live in? Maybe someone on here knows the info or where to find it.

Polykid,
Check out the recent posting and replies to "anyone know about reimbursements for....". It discusses living donor donations and how to cover the costs incurred by living kidney donors, complete with references for national and state programs. Also be sure to talk with your insurance company to find out exactly what they will cover for your living donor; often it includes travel expenses as well as all medical expenses for the testing, surgery and follow-up care.
Ruth

Hi Polykid...I see that you don't have any insurance. Luckily, medicaid is available to anyone going through dislysis, and also three years post kidney transplant. I am sorry that I don't know the details but now would be a good time to start researching how to apply for medicaid. I know that there are programs available and I hope someone more knowledagebl on the site might be able to direct you to those places.

umm.. okay. Msfur08 I live in kentucky. Alinds, I don't see how medicaid is going to help my donors but thanks for the advice.

Polykid...It is my understanding that medicaid would pick up the tab for all the procedures needed for you to have a transplant and that would include the surgical costs for the donor. I don't know about follow-up. That is what happened with privately insured patients...MY insurance will pay for the donors surgery, not the donor's insurance. I am pretty sure it works the same way with medicaid which is why I suggested giving them a call and seeing what it takes to get the process started. Best of luck.

Medicare will kick in as soon as you have the transplant and will probably be retroactive to the first day of that month. But again, that may not cover all of your donor's expenses or your pre-transplant workup, etc. You really do need to talk with a RENAL SOCIAL WORKER about the options available to both you and any potential donor NOW and not wait. With a living donor you can theoretically be transplanted at any time; you don't have to wait till you're below 20% for an evaluation or listing (the listing is for a deceased donor organ only; if you have a living donor you will be able to skip the list entirely).

If you don't know or can't find a renal social worker on your own, please contact talk with your nephrologist (since you should be talkign dialysis and transplant with him/her at this point anyhow). The nearest chapter of the National Kidney Foundation (www.nkf.org) or the American Association of Kidney Patients (www.aakp.org) are also excellent resources; both have the resources and contacts to get you in touch with the right people who can put you on track to getting a transplant with the best possible medical coverage for you and your donor. They've been there themselves and provide many additonal services for patients and donors, as well as know what services in particular are available in each state and the nuances of the Medicaid system for each state (eligibility and application processes vary by state so it helps to have an expert to walk you through the process). They can also help you understand how and when Medicare kicks in (for ESRD patients) and what effect that will have for you and your donor.

Alas, we can't do this for you; all we can do is provide support and suggestions. What we would greatly appreciate is when you do get more information about what's available that you share it with us so others can benefit from your experience. The more we learn from one another the more we all benefit and be able to help the next person get through the process. It will always be a learning experience for someone...alas, this time it's your turn.

Good luck and please keep in touch!
Ruth

transplant centers usually have a social worker on staff who is part of the workup team.
at the time of evaluation, for me at least who applied to 4 different centers in 3 states, each evaluation included an interview with a social worker. that person can be contacted at any time during the process.
post transplant another social worker is part of the staff.