Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Medical Specialties & Departments > Pancreas Transplant

Pancreas Transplant Cost


How Much Does a Pancreas Transplant Cost?

 
average costWith Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copays, 10%-50% Coinsurance to Maximumhigh costWithout Health Insurance: $125,000-$300,000+

In a pancreas transplant, a healthy pancreas is transferred to a patient whose own pancreas does not function properly, usually as the result of type 1 diabetes. Though the organ most often comes from a deceased donor, a partial donation may come from a live donor, or in some instances, insulin-producing cells[1] of the pancreas may be transplanted instead.

Typical costs:

  • A pancreas transplant typically is covered by health insurance, although insurers may require a patient to get the transplant at a specific transplant center. For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for a pancreas transplant typically consist of doctor visit, lab and prescription drug copays as well as coinsurance of 10%-50% for surgery and other procedures, which can easily reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
  • For those without health care, the total cost of a pancreas transplant can range widely depending on the hospital, but typically falls between $125,000 and nearly $300,000 or more.
  • The National Kidney Foundation[2] estimates that a pancreas transplant will cost $125,800, including the cost of the evaluation, procedures to obtain the donated organ, hospital charges, physician fees, follow-up care and immunosuppressants.
  • The United Network for Organ Sharing[3] , a nonprofit organization that maintains the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network[4] , puts the average total cost of a pancreas transplant at $289,400, including procurement, hospital admission, doctor's fees, and immunosuppressants.
  • Meanwhile, a report[5] from the actuarial and consulting firm Milliman found that the average cost in 2008 for pancreas transplants was $275,000, which included $17,000 for a month's worth of care leading up to the transplant; $65,000 for the procurement of the organ; $108,900 for hospital transplant admission; $17,800 for the surgeon; and $19,900 for immunosuppressants and other prescription drugs.
Related articles: Diabetes Treatment, Diabetes Medication, Kidney Transplant

What should be included:
  • The process starts when a patient is referred to a transplant center by his or her doctor and added to a national waiting list. According to the National Kidney Foundation[6] , the average wait for a pancreas from a deceased donor is 300-400 days.
  • ● Besides having a medical history taken and undergoing a physical examination, a patient may also undergo diagnostic tests, including blood tests and urine tests, among other exams, prior to surgery.
  • The surgery typically take between four and six hours, and patients will typically be in the hospital for 10-14 days.
  • Patients will need to take Immunosuppression medications such as neoral[7] or sirolimus (Rapamune)[8] following surgery.
Additional costs:
  • Patients will have to undergo regularly scheduled tests to monitor the transplanted pancreas.
  • The United Network for Organ Sharing lists non-medical costs[9] associated with a transplant, such as transportation to and from the transplant center, and food and lodging for family members.
Discounts:
  • Most transplant centers have a financial counselor who will help the patient find ways to pay for the procedure.
  • Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[10] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. The hospital also offers an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of the patient receiving the bill.
Shopping for a pancreas transplant:
  • The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients offers a transplant center locator[11] .
  • The United Network for Organ Sharing provides a list of common funding sources[12] to help patients with the costs of transplants.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
post Post   Comments (2)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Pancreas Transplant
Amount: $2,500.00
Posted by: LydiaLee in Sioux Falls, SD.Posted: April 27th, 2017 07:04PM
Insurance: 500,000.00Medical Center: McKennan Transplant
I had a pancreas transplant in 2012, it has been 5 years this month. I started my whole process in October 2011. I was told it would be 12 to 18 months for a donor. In 6 months I received the call and had the surgery. It has gone well so far so I hope it continues to last.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
kidney and pancreas transplant
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: steven jr. in indianpolis, IN.Posted: December 24th, 2014 08:12AM
Insurance: medicareMedical Center: indiana health hospital
I have receive a successful transplant without any negative side effects or any rejection issues , and it has now been 6 years since my trasplant
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Pancreas Transplant
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Insurance: Medical Center: 
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/pancreaticislet/
  2.  www.kidney.org/atoz/content/pancreastx.cfm
  3.  www.transplantliving.org/before-the-transplant/financing-a-transplant/the-costs/
  4.  optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/
  5.  publications.milliman.com/research/health-rr/pdfs/2008-us-organ-tisse-RR4-1-08.pdf
  6.  www.kidney.org/atoz/content/pancreastx.cfm
  7.  www.rxlist.com/neoral-drug.htm
  8.  www.rxlist.com/rapamune-drug.htm
  9.  www.transplantliving.org/before-the-transplant/financing-a-transplant/the-costs/
  10.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
  11.  www.srtr.org/csr/current/Centers/Default.aspx
  12.  www.transplantliving.org/before-the-transplant/financing-a-transplant/funding-sour...
More Health & Personal Care Topics
Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care How Much Does an Ambulance Cost? How Much Does an Albuterol Inhaler Cost? How Much Does an MRI Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost