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Financial Costs
Dr. Dumanian, Chief of Plastic Surgery, talks about the financial commitment that comes with hand/arm transplantation.
Transplant centers differ on whether they view hand/arm transplantation as “standard-of-care”, that is, treatment that clinicians should consider for patients with upper limb amputation.
Transplant centers that do not view hand/arm transplantation as standard-of-care can still perform hand/arm transplantation—as research, under the oversight of their Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee.
Because insurance companies do not yet view hand/arm transplantation as standard-of-care, the treatment option may not be covered under health insurance.¹
As of January 2020, several transplant centers are asking health insurance companies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) if they will pay for hand/arm transplantation, in advance of the procedure; this process is called “preauthorization.”
Even if insurance covers costs related to hand/arm transplantation, such as the procedure, anti-rejection medicines, and occupational therapy, the recipient may still need to pay for part of the transplant costs, such as a copay.
People seeking a hand/arm transplant should discuss the costs of hand/arm transplant with the transplant team or with the center’s transplant financial services. It is important to know how the transplant and post-transplant care and medicine will be paid for, and then develop a payment plan that will work. Costs should also include anticipated travel expenses to get to and from the transplant center for recovery and treatment.
A transplant social worker will speak with you about your financial resources and costs, including:
Insurance coverage and access to healthcare for transplant and other medical needs.
Ability to pay for your bills and expenses.
Cost of staying near the transplant center in a long-term or temporary residence for months to years after receiving the transplant.
Using disability benefits through employment to take time off for the transplant.
Lost income from being unable to work during the transplant surgery and recovery period.
The option for a family member/caregiver to take Family and Medical Leave from work to help before and after the hand/arm transplant.
Exploring options with medical/transplant fundraising organizations for financial assistance.
