Health insurance for kidney donors: how easy is it to obtain?

Abstract

Because there is a severe shortage of cadaver organs, living donors are a valuable source of kidneys for patients with end-stage renal disease. One area of concern to many potential donors is their ability to obtain health insurance after donation. To investigate this issue, we surveyed 99 health insurance organizations in the United States, including the 10 largest health maintenance organizations, asking for their views and practices regarding living kidney donors; 44% of these organizations responded. The responses were strikingly uniform and indicate that healthy kidney donors should be able to obtain and maintain health insurance at standard rates. This information should be reassuring for concerned people who are considering donating a kidney.