Donor Question...

[kellyt]

I went to my transplant evaluation yesterday and received a bunch of information, some regarding potential donors.  I read that if someone donates that there is a possibility that their personal insurance can drop them if they feel they are now risk (or something like that - not those words exactly).  Does this really happen?  If so, that's horrible!  I'm hoping I read it wrong or misinterpreted it.

How can I ask my brothers to potentially donate to me and put them at risk of losing their coverage?   

[Rerun]

Oh, Man, I've never heard of that.  Maybe Okarol will find something on that. ??

Karol, Okarol !!??

[okarol]

Yes, the possibility exists. Issues that continue to be problems are insurance and insurability after donation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rules and Regulations for Transplant Programs: Final Rule, 2007 require programs to disclose that if they proceed with the living donor surgery, it could impact insurance premiums or risk losing insurance. Some insurance plans will not allow donors to access their benefit (health, disability or life) if they have an adverse event. Potential donors should check on their plan and discuss concerns with transplant team.

[kellyt]

That sucks.

[goofynina]

You would think that people would be praised for being a donor not punished, i swear, our system sucks big ones dammit   

[George Jung]

The entire system is set up to make a profit.  Much of our Western culture itself is lined with greed.

[tamara]

they would make more profit with us off diaysis and with a transplant, look at the running costs it's a joke

[George Jung]

they would make more profit with us off diaysis and with a transplant, look at the running costs it's a joke

The insurance companies?

[tamara]

nah governments, the savings they would make if we weren't on dialysis , if they looked at the overall picture if they spend the initial outlay that a transplant would cost compared to staying on dialysis they would save a heap

[kellyt]

One of my evaluation coordinators said that "insurance companies LOVE donors" due to the fact that they have to spend a lot of money up front, but they were basically "done" one year following transplant.  What I'm sure she meant was YOUR insurance company loves donors because they have to pay a lot of money up-front and for the year following your transplant, and they're not paying for years and years of dialysis.  Apparently your DONOR's insurance - not so much LOVE.

I just want to know if anyone personally knows a donor that was dropped by their insurance due to donating.  That would kill me if my potential donor lost his/her insurance coverage.  I would feel so responsible!

[angela515]

I guess it would be a good thing for a potential donor to actually call up their insurance company and find out their policy. I don't know anyone who has been dropped, thankfully, and my mom was never dropped, in fact at that time, my moms insurance is the one who paid for her transplant and mine. I was on her insurance as well, due to disability. They were wonderful... but, not every insurance company is wonderful... sucks that we need to find this kind of thing out before we consider donating.

[okarol]

One of my evaluation coordinators said that "insurance companies LOVE donors" due to the fact that they have to spend a lot of money up front, but they were basically "done" one year following transplant.  What I'm sure she meant was YOUR insurance company loves donors because they have to pay a lot of money up-front and for the year following your transplant, and they're not paying for years and years of dialysis.  Apparently your DONOR's insurance - not so much LOVE.

I just want to know if anyone personally knows a donor that was dropped by their insurance due to donating.  That would kill me if my potential donor lost his/her insurance coverage.  I would feel so responsible!

I think the donor at risk for losing their coverage is someone who purchases their own insurance and has to qualify. If the donor's health insurance is through a large company plan, where the only qualification is to be employed, then they won't lose it. I believe it's like a pre-existing condition where they can only disqualify someone for a limited time. Living donors are on the board of UNOS and are fighting to be sure donors are protected, and not put at risk, but for now the possibility exists. I don't know anyone that has lost their insurance, whether health or life, but transplant centers are required to inform donor's of this possibility.

Insurance companies actually "LOVE" the non-living donor transplants, as there is only one surgery and no follow-up care for the donor, so it costs them a great deal less.

[kellyt]

Thank you OKarol!  That helps and makes sense.  Also, I agree about the "loving" non-living donors, too.  I'm sure that's what they hope for, but unfortunately they also know they will be putting out mega bucks while you wait for that non-living donor.

Here's to change!     I sincerely pray for the best for all of us!