My Son

My son has hepatitis C and cirrosis (cirrhosis) of the liver with about only 10% fuctioning, he has only medicad and no other insurance will anyone still consider him for a transplant? What can we expect?

[child24angel]

Hi Mary,

I'm sorry to hear of your son.

Medicaid is federally funded within the states, it depends
on which state you live in if they will cover a TP.

It is best to let your son's TP team go over this with you at the time
of evaluation. You will meet with a whole team of people, Dr's , surgeon's etc.including a financial counselor that will be able to best
answer this question.  It is a long process, but it is well worth a try.

In addition, many tests are involved to get listed and he will have
to meet the TP criteria including his MELD score.  Each state
and region have a different score to go by.

I was told a few years ago, the cost is about 350,000 dollars and
after the TP he will be on immunosuppressants, which medicaid may
help pay for.

My son had GHPP for (genetically handicapped), and they were going
to pay for everything. including having a nurse come out to the house.  It took me a few thousand phone calls to get
all this straightened out.  I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I wish you and your son the very best moving forward.

Elaine

[nygirl7]

Mary,

If anyone on here can relate to you and understand it is our dear friend Elaine.  She is a lovely, lovely woman who would never steer your wrong. Whatever she says - do. Please trust me on that.

We wish you all of the best getting this accomplished for your son. I will be praying for you.

Deb

[orphanedhawk]

I was in a similar position although I didn't even have medicare. I did have some money and flew to Taiwan in April 2009, where I had a live liver transplant with my daughter as my donor. It cost $75,000, not including transport, food etc.
At the time I was told about 8% of my liver was functioning.

Transplants are done on the basis of who is the sickest, within some parameters. If your son's MELD score is high and he is considered a good candidate, then he should be able to get a transplant.
My heptalogist here told me it didn't matter what insurance you have the person in the most need, gets the transplant first.

Is he currently listed on a transplant list?
What have you been told by his doctor or hospital?

As Elaine mentioned, where you live is part of the equation. In some parts of the country there are more people in need than in others.

You can get help for the immune suppression meds which he will need afterwords from a company called Astrellas. They provide free prograf based on income.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
OH

[spectda]

Good lucky Mary-
We will all be thinking of you here. It could be any one of us. I hope he finds a way to get what he needs. -Dave