How can I afford an evaluation or transplant?
Transplant Financial ServicesYou must have insurance coverage or a cash deposit for your evaluation and heart transplant. Your transplant financial coordinator will help you with your insurance problems and questions. Your financial coordinator will make sure all information about you is correct. This will prevent delays. You will be asked about all of your finances. This interview does not mean you have insurance approval. It is only the first step.
The transplant financial coordinator will work with you and your insurance company. Our goal is to obtain all insurance benefits possible for you. Many times these benefits do not cover the whole cost of the transplant. If this happens, you will need to make a cash deposit to MUSC. This is the amount not covered by your insurance and will be determined by the financial coordinator. The final costs for your transplant may be more than your deposit. You may need to do fundraising to help you with the cost of the transplant, housing and medications after transplant. The social worker can give you resources you may contact about how to do fundraising.
It is important to retain your present insurance. This includes South Carolina Medicaid, Medicare, any group insurance, or COBRA insurance. Most companies let you keep your insurance for 18 months after you stop working. This is called COBRA insurance. You will need to make monthly payments in order to keep this insurance. Losing insurance coverage does not mean you will get Medicaid. You may have property or disability income that will keep you from getting Medicaid.
If you do not have any insurance or funding, you will be asked to see a Medicaid intake worker to see if you qualify for Medicaid. This can be done at MUSC, or at the Department of Social Services (DSS) office in your home county. You must complete a form to apply for Medicaid. You must give DSS all information they ask for. This will prevent delays. The average length of time for Medicaid notification is 120 days. If approved, you will be on the Medicaid program. This will pay for your transplant. It will not cover housing expenses after the transplant. It will only cover the cost of four of the most expensive drugs per month.
Heart transplants are very costly. MUSC must have insurance approval, a cash deposit, or documentation of money in a bank account, before we list you for your transplant. Call your financial coordinator if you have any changes in your job, financial status or insurance policy. You should keep in touch with your financial coordinator regularly. The transplant financial coordinator’s (Sue Ellen Coningsby) office telephone number is (843)792-2874.