Medical Expenses Covered By Your Health Insurance Policy During Organ Transplant

Transplantation of body parts, be it organs or limbs, has had a long history in mythology and literature. However, medical science brought organ transplants into practical use when the first successful transplant was done in 1954. This was done to take in step in the direction of bettering the lives of people who are suffering due to organ failures or health conditions that lead to their organs not functioning at sub-par capacity. Today, organ transplant is a fairly common process. Several countries across the world practice organ transplant with India being one of them. People are also encouraged to sign up to become organ donors, so that they may be able to help someone else live a better life after they are gone. In India, some of the common organs to be transplanted are the kidney, liver, heart, lungs, and pancreas. Although organ transplants today are more common than ever before, they may not always be a seamless and accessible process for everyone. Besides the fact that organ transplants can get complicated owing to the difficulty of finding the right organ match, the costs are also another factor that may make the procedure less accessible to everyone. With organ transplants already being quite complex, it is imperative that you make it as easy for yourself as you could. Most people do not foresee an organ transplant for themselves in the future, but the need could arise for anyone. Similarly, you may not even see yourself becoming a live organ donor, but the future is uncertain. It is better to say prepared for such situations in all ways you can, especially financially. Most medical insurance plans in India may offer coverage for your organ transplant procedures. However, that may not be true for all types of plans. When buying health insurance, it is ideal to check the inclusions and exclusions to understand whether coverage is offered for organ transplants. Financial support may be required not only when you seek an organ transplant, but also when you act as a donor. Hence, it is ideal to check for coverage for both.*  

Types of Policies Covering Organ Transplant*

Most individual health insurance plans will offer coverage for organ transplants. This may include your family health insurance plans as well as group health insurance plans. However, if you have chosen a lower coverage amount, it may not suffice. On the other hand, there are a few policies that offer coverage to the donor. But why would the donor need coverage? As mentioned before, organ donations are an elaborate process, where even the donor may have to undergo several tests and procedures. Thus, it may help if they also have coverage.  

Possible Medical Expenses During Organ Transplant

Having a broad idea of the steps that may be followed during an organ transplant process may help you understand the expenses you may face every step of the way. Here is what you can expect during the organ transplant procedure.

·         Compatibility testing

One of the fundamental steps in deciding whether to proceed with organ donation from a donor to the receiver is to determine whether they are compatible. Depending on the organ being transplanted and any other issues faced, this will entail some tests with the donor as well as the receiver involved.

·         Preparation

Once the donor and the receiver are determined to be compatible, they will be prepped for surgery. Harvesting an organ from a live donor can be a complicated process. Hence, utmost care will be taken to ensure that everything is done as smoothly as possible.

·         Surgery

Transplantation is the most important step of the process. The donor as well as the receiver may require hospitalisation before and after the process.

·         Recovery

Depending on the severity of the procedure, it may take a while for both parties to recover. During this phase, they may still need medical attention. At every step of the way, there will be costs involved. Shouldering it all on your own could overburden you. Having medical insurance can help reduce this burden.*  

Need for Organ Transplant

There are a number of reasons why someone may require an organ transplant. Some of the common ones you should know about are as follows:

1. Accidental damage to the organs
2. Congenital defects or malformations
3. Organ failure due to diseases or severe conditions.

The need for organ transplants can be faced by anyone. To not let financial constraints be a hindrance in the pursuit of your health, consider health insurance today. It may help to understand the inclusions and exclusions of the plan you are considering and use a health insurance premium calculator to get premium quotes. Apart from this, it is important to take good care of your health to avoid developing ailments.*   *Standard T&C Apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.