Transplant from a donor who has died

Psychological and financial interviews

Psychological interview

The psychological interview checks on your mental health and helps you deal with the emotions of a transplant. You will talk with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a social worker about your support system (family and friends who will help you after transplant), and your ability to cope with caring for a transplant.

To get on the list, you’ll need a caregiver for the weeks or months after your surgery. Centers will not accept a professional caregiver. You must have a friend, family member, or another voluntary helper who can care for you after your surgery. The center will do a small evaluation to make sure your caregiver understands their role and can help you follow instructions for your care. You won’t get on the waitlist without a caregiver.

Financial interview

Most of the time, your insurance will cover most of your costs. Private insurance can vary in what or how much it covers. Medicare and Medicaid also pay for kidney transplants. A financial counselor will talk to you about your finances and how you will pay for health care needed for your new kidney. This is a little bit different at each transplant center.

You may feel worried or scared about how you will cover your costs. You may need a second health insurance policy beyond your current insurance, or you may need to get extra savings or funds from an organization to pay for your medicines after transplant. If you need help paying for your transplant, the transplant social worker or financial counselor can help you find resources and plan for costs so you can focus on getting healthy after your transplant.

These 3 national fundraisers can also help you meet your costs:

National Foundation for Transplants
5350 Poplar Ave, Suite 430
Memphis, TN 38119
Phone Toll Free: (800) 489-3863
Phone Local: (901) 684-1697
Fax: (901) 684-1128
General Email: [email protected]
transplants.org

Help Hope Live
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Rd #100
Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: (800) 642-8399
helphopelive.org

American Transplant Foundation
600 17th Street, Suite 2515 South
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 757-0959
[email protected]

What happens after the interviews?

After you finish the interviews, the transplant center will decide whether you are able to get a transplant. If you are able to get one, the center will put your name and medical information on the UNOS waitlist.