The recipient’s insurance covers the costs of testing and the transplant itself.

Who pays for living organ donor transplants? Your financial questions answered

UNMC has travel vouchers if traveling costs are involved.

You must be over 18 and in generally good health. Some transplant centers may have different age requirements or consider other factors like BMI and smoking habits. 

A thorough evaluation is required to determine if you are a suitable donor. This includes physical exams, blood tests, and possibly psychological evaluations. 

You can donate to a family member, friend, or even a stranger in need of a transplant. 

You can withdraw from the process at any time, confidentially, and without penalty. 

Surgery: Kidney donation involves a surgical procedure called nephrectomy, where one of your kidneys is removed. 

Anesthesia: You will be under anesthesia during the surgery. 

Hospital Stay: You will typically stay in the hospital for 1-3 days after the procedure. 

Recovery: Recovery time varies, but most donors can return to work within 2-6 weeks. 

There are risks associated with any surgery, such as bleeding, infection, or reactions to anesthesia. 

Some donors may experience slight increases in blood pressure or kidney function issues over time, but these are generally not serious. 

Studies suggest that living kidney donors may even live longer than non-donors. 

Becoming a Living Kidney Donor: 6 Things to Know About the Process

While no surgical procedure is entirely risk-free, living organ donation is safe when performed in a transplant center with living donation experience. Rigorous evaluations are conducted to ensure the donor is in good health and can withstand the procedure. Donors receive comprehensive medical support and follow-up care to ensure their wellbeing.

While a living donor does face a temporary recovery period, studies have shown that living organ donors can expect to maintain a comparable quality of life to non-donors.

In most cases, the recipient’s insurance covers the medical expenses associated with living organ donation. This includes pre-operative evaluations, surgery and post-operative care. Additionally, many organizations offer financial assistance to living organ donors, helping to alleviate any potential financial burden. If you are interested in becoming a living donor, a living donor coordinator can help connect you to resources.

Extensive research has shown that living organ donation does not significantly increase the risk of long-term health problems. The thorough evaluation process ensures that potential donors are healthy enough to donate without compromising their own well-being.

Although most living donors are relatives or friends of the recipient, this is not a requirement. Individuals can be evaluated as altruistic or anonymous living donors to match with anyone in need, based on body size and blood type. Additionally, a donor can donate their kidney to another recipient in exchange for a compatible kidney for their friend or relative. This is known as paired kidney exchange.

If someone wants to become a living organ donor but is not a match for their family member or friend in need, they can pursue paired donation. This option matches incompatible donor-recipients with other pairs to create compatible matches with others in the same situation.

Each case is assessed individually, and factors such as overall health, disease management and potential risks are thoroughly evaluated before determining eligibility. Some health conditions may prevent you from becoming a donor, as they may harm a transplant recipient.