What services will the recipient's insurance cover?
All medical services related to organ donation are submitted to the recipient's insurance. Your recipient's insurance typically covers all medical services related to your organ donation, including your evaluation, hospitalization, surgery, follow-up care and treatment of any surgical complications.
What services could be billed to my insurance?
If you have medical services that aren't considered part of the standard donor evaluation or if you receive further tests or treatment for any condition found during the evaluation, a claim will be submitted to your insurance.
You'll be responsible for paying for any tests or treatments that aren't related to a standard donor evaluation or treatment. Staff will recommend that you obtain insurance prior to evaluation and surgery if you don't currently have insurance.
What if I don't have insurance?
Services that aren't considered part of the standard donor evaluation or treatment of any condition found during the evaluation require a pre-service deposit. These arrangements can be made at any one of the business office locations.
What if my insurance doesn't cover me at Mayo Clinic?
Services directly related to your living-donor evaluation will be billed to the recipient's insurance. For nontransplant-related services, check with your medical team to determine if services can be performed by your local health care provider. You can also choose to pay for the services out-of-pocket. You'll be responsible for paying for any nontransplant-related services.
How will being a living donor affect my current insurance or getting new or additional insurance?
Please contact your insurance provider or your employer's human resources representative for your specific plan information. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny health insurance coverage or charge you more due to a pre-existing condition.
Is there any assistance available as a donor for my travel and lodging expenses?
You'll be responsible for your travel and lodging during your evaluation and before and after your surgery. It's important to discuss with the recipient whether his or her insurance plan will cover travel, lodging, child care and other expenses for you as a living donor.
If the recipient's insurance plan doesn't cover these costs, ask the recipient if he or she will be reimbursing your travel and lodging expenses. It's illegal to be paid to be a donor. However, you can request that the recipient reimburse your travel, lodging, child care and other transplant-related expenses.
If you aren't being reimbursed for your travel expenses by the recipient or by any other method, you may apply to the National Living Donor Assistance Center for reimbursement. If you meet specific eligibility criteria, the National Living Donor Assistance Center may reimburse some of your travel costs.
What donor information is released to the recipient's insurance?
Your recipient's case manager will be notified regarding your medical approval as a living donor. In Mayo Clinic correspondence, your identity as a donor is kept anonymous.
Other expenses
Please plan for other expenses that may occur related to your transplant, which may include follow-up medical appointments, long-term medications, caregiver expenses, travel, parking, lodging and other expenses.