RE: Donor insurance question

[Guest guest]

not yet but it's being discussed.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for

something that is “not medically necessary”, i.e. UNOS or CMS required

post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible

through KACC, if it is a “well baby” visit, then Medicare will not

pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a

problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH Trnsplnt

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

5:26 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on

Financial

Counselor

Legacy

Transplant Services

1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480

Portland OR

97210

direct line

front desk

toll free

fax

lmorriso@...

" No one should be happy with today's growing

inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared

sense of well-being. "

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies

requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General

Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any

attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is

intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you

are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the

message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message

is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is

intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment.

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:59 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for something that is “not medically necessary”, i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through KACC, if it is a “well baby” visit, then Medicare will not pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

Why

would the hospital be responsible for treatment for a medical condition discovered

during donor work-up if said condition eliminates the individual as a donor?

Or am I misunderstanding the situation?

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies

requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This

communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be

confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual

to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should

contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure,

copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in

this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding

signature.

[Guest guest]

I like the medical issues during evaluation

as the “best” reason.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Hemberger, R

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

9:39 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is

that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical

issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued

treatment.

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do

any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General

Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any

attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is

intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you

are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the

message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message

is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is

intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

Why then wouldn’t her own insurance

cover a medical condition that requires attention?

From:

TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Vaughan

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

10:18 AM

To:

TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

I like the medical issues during evaluation

as the “best” reason.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Hemberger, R

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

9:39 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is

that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical

issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued

treatment.

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any

of your centers have written policies requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General

Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This

communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be

confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual

to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should

contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure,

copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in

this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding

signature.

===================================

Cleveland Clinic is ranked one of the top 3 hospitals in

America by U.S.News World Report. Visit us online at

http://www.clevelandclinic.org for a complete listing of

our services, staff and locations.

Confidentiality Note: This message is intended for use

only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed

and may contain information that is privileged,

confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable

law. If the reader of this message is not the intended

recipient or the employee or agent responsible for

delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are

hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or

copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If

you have received this communication in error, please

contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in

its entirety, whether electronic or hard copy. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The earlier discussion that I was

responding to was discussions about requiring potential live donors to have

health insurance before they would be considered as live donors and why it

might be necessary.

The initial question was:

“Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring

donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!”

I agree, the hospital is not responsible if

it finds a health condition that would rule a potential live donor out during

the evaluation. Some of the donors think that they are and some of the

potential recipients think they are as do some of the physicians.

I had commented earlier that we were not

certain that UNOS screening and follow up care were valid reasons and had

forgotten about the issue of current conditions.

Hope this helps,

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Delong, , M

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

10:03 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Why would the hospital be responsible

for treatment for a medical condition discovered during donor work-up if said

condition eliminates the individual as a donor? Or am I misunderstanding

the situation?

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]

On Behalf Of Hemberger, R

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

8:39 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out

during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is

put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment.

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Vaughan

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

5:59 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for something that is “not

medically necessary”, i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation

screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through

KACC, if it is a “well baby” visit, then Medicare will not pay and

I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]

On Behalf Of on, :LPH

Trnsplnt

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

5:26 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on

Financial

Counselor

Legacy

Transplant Services

1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480

Portland OR 97210

direct line

front desk

toll free

fax

lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

" No one should be happy with today's growing

inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared

sense of well-being. "

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, R

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

1:58 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject:

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do

any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General

Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This

communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be

confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual

to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact

the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or

distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email,

including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill ~

I understood

your earlier response to the initial question, but was confused by Matt’s

second statement: ‘Another not

too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a

previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position

regarding continued treatment’ which

prompted my response. I wanted to be sure I wasn’t missing

something. THANKS for clarifying.

Regards,

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies

requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT

NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information

that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity

or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient,

you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized

disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited.

Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally

binding signature.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You are welcome, I appreciate the

opportunity.

I do wish this whole thing was much clearer

to begin with.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Delong, , M

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

10:53 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Hi Bill ~

I understood your earlier response to

the initial question, but was confused by Matt’s second statement: ‘Another not

too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a

previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position

regarding continued treatment’ which

prompted my response. I wanted to be sure I wasn’t missing

something. THANKS for clarifying.

Regards,

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]

On Behalf Of Vaughan

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

9:39 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Hi ,

The earlier discussion that I was responding to was discussions

about requiring potential live donors to have health insurance before they

would be considered as live donors and why it might be necessary.

The initial question was:

“Hi. Do any

of your centers have written policies requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!”

I agree, the hospital is not responsible if it finds a

health condition that would rule a potential live donor out during the

evaluation. Some of the donors think that they are and some of the

potential recipients think they are as do some of the physicians.

I had commented earlier that we were not certain that UNOS

screening and follow up care were valid reasons and had forgotten about the

issue of current conditions.

Hope this helps,

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]

On Behalf Of Delong, , M

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

10:03 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Why would the hospital be responsible

for treatment for a medical condition discovered during donor work-up if said

condition eliminates the individual as a donor? Or am I misunderstanding

the situation?

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]

On Behalf Of Hemberger, R

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

8:39 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out

during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is

put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment.

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Vaughan

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

5:59 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for something that is “not

medically necessary”, i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation

screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through

KACC, if it is a “well baby” visit, then Medicare will not pay and

I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]

On Behalf Of on, :LPH

Trnsplnt

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

5:26 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on

Financial

Counselor

Legacy

Transplant Services

1040 NW 22nd Ave

Ste 480

Portland OR 97210

direct line

front desk

toll free

fax

lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

" No one should be happy with today's growing

inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared

sense of well-being. "

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original

Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, R

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006

1:58 PM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject:

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do

any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts

General Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This

communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be

confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual

to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should

contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure,

copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in

this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding

signature.

[Guest guest]

Yes identifying work-up complications for the donor is a big problem; however, as Bill discussed at the conference and what I wholeheartedly follow is: If a donor medical complication is discovered during the workup then the donor's insurance should pay for treating this complication. After surviving one OIG audit I vowed to ensure that this practice is carried out in our program. If the donor is uninsured I direct them to medical assistance, charity care of their local state funded clinic. ( In Philadelphia we have health clinics) "Hemberger, R" wrote: Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment. -----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of

VaughanSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:59 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question HI, Please think about the following: Why would an insurance company pay for something that is “not medically necessary”, i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through KACC, if it is a “well baby” visit, then

Medicare will not pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem. Thanks, Bill From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question not yet but it's being discussed. on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org "No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being." - J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek -----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax: IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is

intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature. Bessie Plummer Financial Coordinator/Office Manager Jefferson University HospitalTransplant Program111 S. 11th Street/ Ste 1950Philadelphia, PA 19107fax:

Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

yes I should have sent a complete answer to why we are considering it. We know our and Medicare's and/or the recipient's primary responsibility to the donor in the event of post op complications. Our concern is exactly as stated below: for medical issues found during evaluation. We're pondering our moral obligation in a state with evershrinking public assistance and charitable resources. True, it's the donor's responsibility, but no one would feel good about just wishing him luck after his generous offer of donation, and more selfishly, we already have our hands full seeking financial assistance, PAPs for our recipients. Of course the big dilemma is the impact this policy would have on the number of available living donors.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 7:18 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

I like the medical issues during evaluation as the "best" reason.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:39 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment.

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:59 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for something that is "not medically necessary", i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through KACC, if it is a "well baby" visit, then Medicare will not pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

, thank you for articulating this more clearly. When situations like this occur, we as a hospital have the responsibility of connecting these patients with financial assistance programs when available, or risk getting stuck with uncompensated care.

-----Original Message-----

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 12:36 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

yes I should have sent a complete answer to why we are considering it. We know our and Medicare's and/or the recipient's primary responsibility to the donor in the event of post op complications. Our concern is exactly as stated below: for medical issues found during evaluation. We're pondering our moral obligation in a state with evershrinking public assistance and charitable resources. True, it's the donor's responsibility, but no one would feel good about just wishing him luck after his generous offer of donation, and more selfishly, we already have our hands full seeking financial assistance, PAPs for our recipients. Of course the big dilemma is the impact this policy would have on the number of available living donors.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 7:18 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

I like the medical issues during evaluation as the "best" reason.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:39 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment.

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:59 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for something that is "not medically necessary", i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through KACC, if it is a "well baby" visit, then Medicare will not pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

There is another way of looking at it.

If the person had not offered to donate and go through the testing they would

not have found out about whatever was found during the evaluation until later,

or much later, down the road. So by offering to donate they learned about

their problem sooner and presumably the condition is easier to treat.

That said, you should be setting the donor’s

expectations when you first meet with them and explain what is and is not

covered by the transplant program during the evaluation, transplant,

post-transplant. I think if you emphasize the benefits of early diagnosis of a

condition the donor should not hold the program responsible for treating it.

Their personal insurance situation remains the same whether or not they

volunteered to be a donor.

Fred L. Forsthoffer, MBA

Financial Analyst

Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services

,

, F-

From:

TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH Trnsplnt

Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006

9:36 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: RE:

Donor insurance question

yes I should have sent a complete answer to

why we are considering it. We know our and Medicare's and/or the

recipient's primary responsibility to the donor in the event of post op

complications. Our concern is exactly as stated below: for medical

issues found during evaluation. We're pondering our moral obligation in a

state with evershrinking public assistance and charitable resources.

True, it's the donor's responsibility, but no one would feel good about

just wishing him luck after his generous offer of donation, and

more selfishly, we already have our hands full seeking financial

assistance, PAPs for our recipients. Of course the big dilemma is the

impact this policy would have on the number of available living donors.

on

Financial

Counselor

Legacy

Transplant Services

1040

NW 22nd Ave Ste 480

Portland

OR 97210

direct line

front desk

toll free

fax

lmorriso@...

" No one should be happy with today's growing inequality.

It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of

well-being. "

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

Donor insurance question

Hi. Do

any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to have

active insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?

Thanks!

____________________________________________

Matt Hemberger

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone:

Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This

communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be

confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual

to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact

the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or

distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email,

including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any

attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is

intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you

are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the

message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message

is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is

intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

Indeed there are many things to consider and that's well stated, Fred. This is one of the great benefits of the listserv, not just nuts and bolts answers to the ever popular questions like "who pays first?" but really valuable food for thought as we strive to do well by our patients and programs.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Forsthoffer, FredSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 2:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

There is another way of looking at it. If the person had not offered to donate and go through the testing they would not have found out about whatever was found during the evaluation until later, or much later, down the road. So by offering to donate they learned about their problem sooner and presumably the condition is easier to treat.

That said, you should be setting the donor's expectations when you first meet with them and explain what is and is not covered by the transplant program during the evaluation, transplant, post-transplant. I think if you emphasize the benefits of early diagnosis of a condition the donor should not hold the program responsible for treating it. Their personal insurance situation remains the same whether or not they volunteered to be a donor.

Fred L. Forsthoffer, MBA

Financial Analyst

Banner Good Samaritan Transplant Services

, , F-

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:36 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

yes I should have sent a complete answer to why we are considering it. We know our and Medicare's and/or the recipient's primary responsibility to the donor in the event of post op complications. Our concern is exactly as stated below: for medical issues found during evaluation. We're pondering our moral obligation in a state with evershrinking public assistance and charitable resources. True, it's the donor's responsibility, but no one would feel good about just wishing him luck after his generous offer of donation, and more selfishly, we already have our hands full seeking financial assistance, PAPs for our recipients. Of course the big dilemma is the impact this policy would have on the number of available living donors.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 7:18 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

I like the medical issues during evaluation as the "best" reason.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:39 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment.

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:59 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

HI,

Please think about the following:

Why would an insurance company pay for something that is "not medically necessary", i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through KACC, if it is a "well baby" visit, then Medicare will not pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem.

Thanks,

Bill

From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH TrnsplntSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question

not yet but it's being discussed.

on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org

"No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being."

- J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

-----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question

Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature.

[Guest guest]

We established a policy that was approved by our legal department that clearly informs any donor that is uninsured that medical complications discovered during the donor work-up must be covered by the donor's insurance coverage or by the donor. This is of course communicated to the pt during my financial eval with potential donors in addition to a clause that clearly states all of the above on our donor billing letter. Bessie Plummer"on, :LPH Trnsplnt" wrote: yes I should have sent a complete answer to why we are considering it. We know our and Medicare's and/or the recipient's primary responsibility to the donor in the event of post op complications. Our concern is exactly as stated below: for medical issues found during evaluation. We're pondering our moral obligation in a state with evershrinking public assistance and charitable resources. True, it's the donor's responsibility, but no one would feel good about just wishing him luck after his generous offer of donation, and more selfishly, we already have our hands full seeking financial assistance, PAPs for our recipients. Of course the big dilemma is the impact this policy would have on the number of available living donors. on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services 1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org "No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being." - J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek -----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 7:18 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question I like the medical issues during evaluation as the "best" reason. Thanks, Bill From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Hemberger, RSent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:39 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question Another not too uncommon occurrence is that a donor is ruled out during a work-up due to a previously unknown medical issue and the hospital is put in an awkward position regarding continued treatment. -----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of VaughanSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:59 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question HI, Please think about the following: Why would an insurance company pay for something that is "not medically necessary", i.e. UNOS or CMS required post donation screening. If it is a complication, the hospital is responsible through KACC, if it is a "well baby" visit, then Medicare will not pay and I am not sure that other insurances will either if there is not a problem. Thanks, Bill From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of on, :LPH

TrnsplntSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Donor insurance question not yet but it's being discussed. on Financial Counselor Legacy Transplant Services

1040 NW 22nd Ave Ste 480 Portland OR 97210 direct line front desk toll free fax lmorrisolhs (DOT) org "No one should be happy with today's growing inequality. It threatens our social compact, which relies on a shared sense of well-being." - J. son, Contributing Editor, Newsweek -----Original Message-----From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ]On Behalf Of

Hemberger, RSent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:58 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Donor insurance question Hi. Do any of your centers have written policies requiring donors to haveactive insurance coverage for post tx routine screening and follow up care?Thanks!____________________________________________ Matt Hemberger Transplant Financial CoordinatorMassachusetts General HospitalPhone: Fax: IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature. IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature. Bessie Plummer Financial Coordinator/Office Manager Jefferson University HospitalTransplant Program111 S. 11th Street/ Ste 1950Philadelphia, PA 19107fax:

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com