Close

TOPIC

Is Your Employer Sponsored Health Plan Prepared for the Significant Costs Related to Transplants?

is your employer sponsored

Organ transplantation increased significantly in recent years. Over 30,000 transplants were performed in the US in 2016 alone, a record high for the fourth consecutive year. On average, that is about 95 transplants each day. Data shows that the number of deceased organ donors hit a record in 2017 for the fifth straight year. This increasing number of donors means it is more likely a covered member of your plan will receive a lifesaving transplant, and that they will spend less time on the wait list. While this is a wonderful outcome for your employees and their families, there will be less time to mitigate unnecessary costs.

With this increase, it is important to prepare for the significant costs related to transplants. The cost of a transplant alone can be extremely high. For example, the cost of a kidney transplant can average around $150,000, whereas a liver transplant can reach well over $300,000. Unfortunately, the cost doesn’t always stop there. Complications after a transplant often result in lengthy hospitalizations and ongoing surgeries, which may cost more than the transplant itself.

It is important for an employer to have a transplant strategy in place. This strategy could include contracted discounts or negotiated rates through a carve-out network that continue after the initial surgery takes place. Specialty case management focused on transplants is a good part of any strategy as well. Educating the employees regarding the resources available when a transplant is indicated is also helpful to avoid high cost surprises.

Roundstone’s cost containment team is here to assist advisors and employers in identifying ways to minimize these costs while still achieving quality patient outcomes. Planning ahead and reducing the cost of complications benefits the patient, their family, and the employer sponsored health plan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RECENT ARTICLES

RECENT ARTICLES

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay in the know with monthly updates right to your inbox.

"*" indicates required fields

What is your role?*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
2024 Medical Captive Forum Logo_1400x400 – Color

Join us at MCF 2024 in New Orleans on May 1-2!

A free educational event for employers and benefits advisors to learn how to optimize health benefits when you are self-funded in a medical captive.

Hey! Want a round-up of stories, trends, and news on employee benefits? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter today!

"*" indicates required fields

What is your role?*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.