Health Insurance Cover for Organ Transplant

Did you know, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant? 1 donor can save around 8 lives and enhance over 75 more.

You might be wondering why I am talking about this here. Well, imagine, doctor, saying ’Multiple Organ Failure’- this one phrase has the power of making you experience "the ground shaking".

For that matter, even any one organ failure is a serious concern. Medically, it has only one treatment solution, and that is an organ transplant.  But, organ transplant is not an easy task. It comes with a lot of challenges.

Troubles that can arise before the process of organ transplant

• Lack of understanding about organ transplantation.
• Due to many misconceptions and myths people do not come forward to become a donor.
• There is a huge concern regarding organ allocation and ensuring a fair distribution among patients.
• The infrastructure of organ donation and transplantation may be limited by some means.
• High cost of organ donor and organ receiver including the cost of surgery and hospitalisation.

FYI- Organ donation is something that can be very small for you but very big for overall societal development. To know more about organ donation you can visit here.

Types of organ transplantation and their cost in India

1. Heart Transplant

   The most complex surgery, in which the heart of a deceased donor who has been declared brain dead is transplanted to the patient whose heart can no longer function adequately. The surgery is quite a complex open-heart procedure, so only expert surgeons can perform this surgery.

   • Hospitalisation required- Less than 1 to 3 weeks
   • Type of donor- Deceased donor who died less than 24 hours ago due to brain death
   • Approximate cost- Approx. INR 25 Lakh

2. Lung Transplant

   The surgical procedure is done to replace one or both diseased lungs. It is a life-saving option for people who are dealing with advanced lung diseases that significantly impair their breathing and quality of life. Similar to a heart transplant, a team of specialists will assess the overall health of the patients.

   • Hospitalisation required- Less than 2 to 4 weeks
   • Type of donor- Deceased donor who died 24 to 48 days ago.
   • Approximate cost- INR 25 to 30 Lakh.

3. Liver Transplant

   Another major surgical procedure that is a lifesaving option for individuals with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure when other treatments are not successful. A liver surgeon is an expert in their domain, it is a complex operation that lasts for a few hours.

   • Hospitalisation required- Less than 14 days.
   • Type of donor- It can be a living donor kept for 2 to 7 days, or it can be a deceased donor who died 24 to 48 days ago. 
   • Approximate cost- INR 22 Lakh to 28 Lakh

4. Eye Transplant

   A surgical procedure where damaged or diseased corneal tissue in the eye is replaced with the healthy tissue of a deceased donor. Careful matching processes make sure that the donor’s eye should be compatible enough to minimise the rejection risks.

   • Hospitalisation required- 1 or 2 nights
   • Type of donor- Deceased donor
   • Approximately INR 70 Thousand 1.5 Lakh.

   POV- These are some major and common types of transplants in India. However, there are some rare types of transplants, that might be required. Such as:

   • Pancreas Transplant
   • Intestine Transplant
   • Hands transplant
   • Hair transplant
   • And even a face transplant!

   Now, the advancement in technology has made everything possible. You say a problem, there is a solution for everything. But, not affordable for all.

Health Insurance for Organ Transplant 

Today, many popular health insurance companies offer comprehensive plans that cover organ donation costs and related expenses. Some of these popular health insurance plans are:

POV- Many more plans cover organ donation. Get in touch with our expert advisors at PolicyX to know more. 

Tips to Choose the Best Health Insurance Plan for Organ Donation 

• Check the sum insured which will cover the charges of organ transplant.
• Consider factors like the type of organ transplant, current medical costs, and inflation rate when selecting the sum insured.
• Carefully, review the policy inclusions to make sure that they cover surgery costs, hospitalisation, and surgeon costs. 
• Opt for the plan that has a wide network of hospitals in your area that are specialised in organ transplants. 
• Your plan should cover the donor’s expenses also along with the recipient’s. 
• Understand the claim settlement process of the company. A hassle-free claim process is very important during critical situations like organ transplants.

POV- Your health insurance plan should be the stress buster, not the stress giver.

Bottom Line

The advancements in technology have made organ transplants a life-saving procedure. But, it can be very expensive. Many people die because of organ failure in India. Fortunately, health insurance plans can help ease the financial burden and offer access to quality healthcar. By considering factors like coverage details, sum insured, and network hospitals, you can choose a plan that best suits your needs for organ transplantation. Remember, being an organ donor is a noble act that can save lives. By discussing organ donation with your family and registering as a donor, you can contribute to a brighter future for those in need. 

Let’s all work together to raise awareness about organ donation and make these life-saving transplants more accessible. 

Health Insurer Network Hospitals