RE: Donor Complications (again)

[Guest guest]

i will be out of the office until monday november 4.

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[Guest guest]

The recipient getting Medicare would pay your facility through the Cost Report for the facility piece. The physicians have no one to bill for the pro fees other than the recipient if her insurance won't pay. Or if you paid it, it could not go on your cost report and would be expensed to your dept. when it occurred. We always recommend that LD recipients get ESRD Medicare so that these situations don't arise. Perhaps it comes down to a judgement call on whether you hold the recipient responsible for either paying the physicians or getting Medicare, or if you think it is in the best interest of your program to eat the expense. But what happens if this is an on-going problem for the donor? Since the recipient is the real benefactor of all of this, you should make sure they understand the situation and I think they would choose to get ESRD Medicare.

Samaritan Transplant Services 1410 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Az. 85004 Fred Forsthoffer, MBA Ph: , Fax:

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan Lahey Clinic Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Thank you Lori, I keep telling my patients they need to apply for Medicare when they are eligible. As we discussed in this group before, it becomes a hard sell especially when they have 100% coverage through a group. This is a prime example why it needs to be pushed. Thanks again..

Pat Hogan

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan Lahey Clinic Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Lori;

How do you broach that issue with the patient? A facility can not force the

patient to get Medicare and since this is a hospital reimbursement issue, many

patients have a difficult time seeing the benefit. It is especially true when

it is the donor claim and not their own and on top of it they have to pay retro

premiums. What steps to you take if the recipient refuses?

Thanks for your input,

a A. Bender

Recovery Analyst

Patient Business Services

St. Hospital

phone

fax

>>> LBond@... 10/23/02 01:37PM >>>

Yes, have the recipient apply. They have a year to reto the policy, but

they will have to pay Part B premiums back to the month in which they were

transplanted to cover the donor. Remember the profee services for this donor

(MD charges not faculty) have to be billed directly to Medicare under the

recipient's name and can be subject to review and audit for payment. The

facility charges for the donor are the only thing that can be added to your

cost report after transplant.

Lori Bond

Financial Counselor in Transplant

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Thanks Fred. You are correct. I am waiting for a call back from the recipient as I don't know if she is even aware yet that her group insurance denied this. I am going to stress the importance (especially now) of her applying for Medicare. Fortunately the transplant was in August so she wouldn't have to retro pay too much. Thanks for your help. Don't know what I would do without this very smart group.

Pat Hogan

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan Lahey Clinic Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

At our facility we have the recipient sign as the donors guarantor that way they

know up front that they are going to be responsible for all the donor charges

not covered by there insurance policy. It has helped in persuading the

recipients with very good insurance to apply and pay the medicare premiums.

Debbie Orton

Transplant Financial Coordinator

fax

ortondk@...

>>> ebender@... 10/23/02 03:50PM >>>

Lori;

How do you broach that issue with the patient? A facility can not force the

patient to get Medicare and since this is a hospital reimbursement issue, many

patients have a difficult time seeing the benefit. It is especially true when

it is the donor claim and not their own and on top of it they have to pay retro

premiums. What steps to you take if the recipient refuses?

Thanks for your input,

a A. Bender

Recovery Analyst

Patient Business Services

St. Hospital

phone

fax

>>> LBond@... 10/23/02 01:37PM >>>

Yes, have the recipient apply. They have a year to reto the policy, but

they will have to pay Part B premiums back to the month in which they were

transplanted to cover the donor. Remember the profee services for this donor

(MD charges not faculty) have to be billed directly to Medicare under the

recipient's name and can be subject to review and audit for payment. The

facility charges for the donor are the only thing that can be added to your

cost report after transplant.

Lori Bond

Financial Counselor in Transplant

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know for sure that medicare secondary payor will pay for the donor

if the recipients private plan refuses?

>>> .M.Hogan@... 10/23/02 02:44PM >>>

Thank you Lori, I keep telling my patients they need to apply for Medicare when

they are eligible. As we discussed in this group before, it becomes a hard sell

especially when they have 100% coverage through a group. This is a prime

example why it needs to be pushed. Thanks again..

Pat Hogan

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was not

on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do I

contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we can

put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this donor but

I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

That's what we do too. They sign the financial consent on the donors

condition of admission form. The recipient is set up to be the guarantor on

all accounts (recipient and all donors) related to their transplant. That

way they see the statements and EOB's (donor services) first hand and are

forced to partake in a more active role for claims processing.

Lori Bond

Financial Counselor in Transplant

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Yes they will it is the law. See Social Security Act 1881.

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Do you have any special form for the recipient to sign?

Samaritan Transplant Services

1410 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Az. 85004

Fred Forsthoffer, MBA

Ph: ,

Fax:

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

It amazes me how sometimes these topics are so timely!

We are currently working on a situation where the living donor is being

billed by one of the doctors for his services during the tx admission. The

recipient's primary insurance had denied these donor charges, thus the

recipient's Medicare had been billed (using the appropriate Q3 Modifier).

Over a year later, and many rebillings and denials for " unspecified

reasons " , the provider finally gets a denial stating no Medicare Part B

coverage for that date of service! Now the donor is upset that he's being

sent bills and threats to send him to a collection agency and feels the

transplant program is responsible for his bill. It all comes down to the

fact that the recipient chose NOT to have Medicare part B at the time of

transplant, which would have covered the donor's pro-fees. Medicare Part B

was picked up 5 months later..... I don't know why they didn't retro it back

to the tx date....so I feel it should be the recipient's responsibility to

cover the donor's professional fees.

Opinions on this one???

a

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Can one of you fax me a copy of this form? fax# 407 303-2478

Thanks!

a

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Me too, please - 512 324-1300

thanks

n

>>> a.Summa@... 10/24/02 12:28PM >>>

Can one of you fax me a copy of this form? fax# 407 303-2478

Thanks!

a

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the

live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis

so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid

for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is

refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due

to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do.

Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively

so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat

this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Can you fax me a copy? .

We had some problems as well with donor bills.

Pamela DeAnda, Financial Counselor

Cook Children's Medical Center

Kidney Transplant

>>> LBond@... 10/24/02 11:14AM >>>

That's what we do too. They sign the financial consent on the donors

condition of admission form. The recipient is set up to be the guarantor on

all accounts (recipient and all donors) related to their transplant. That

way they see the statements and EOB's (donor services) first hand and are

forced to partake in a more active role for claims processing.

Lori Bond

Financial Counselor in Transplant

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Please fax me a copy also: fax# :

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the

live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis

so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid

for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is

refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due

to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do.

Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively

so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat

this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

would you please fax me a copy also? thanks.

>>> jmrodriguez@... 10/24/02 02:38PM >>>

Please fax me a copy also: fax# :

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the

live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis

so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid

for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is

refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due

to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do.

Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively

so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat

this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Usually Part B begins July 1 following the Jan-Mar general enrollment period if

it was declined during the initial enrollment period when the Part A began. So

this leaves a gap in Part B coverage for some folks as you describe. We always

recommend that if the pt. is anticipating a LD transplant they should make sure

and get both Parts A & B when first offered. Or that if they sign up for Part B

later, they wait until Part B becomes effective before scheduling the

transplant. You really need to emphasize the importance of having both Part as

early in the process as possible so pts can think about what they will need to

do. Sometimes trying to save $54 per month creates a lot more problems than

solves. If a transplant candidate chose not to get Part B as soon as possible

after we explained things to them, we would see that as a red flag. If they

can't afford $54 per month, they certainly can't afford the 20% Part B co-pays,

etc. We tell our patients to either get both Parts A & B, or not to sign up at

all when first eligible. Having Part A only really doesn't do a lot of good.

In your case, the recpient has to be responsible for the donor's pro fees since

without those services he would still be on dialysis. This situation brings up

the issue of making LD recipients more aware of their potential financial

liability as soon as possible, especially if they choose not to get Medicare.

We tell our patients it is " cheap insurance " (not necessarily good coverage) for

both them and the donor.

Samaritan Transplant Services

1410 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Az. 85004

Fred Forsthoffer, MBA

Ph: ,

Fax:

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Fred -

Having part A at the time of transplant is essential to insure coverage for

medications later (at age 65 or after 3 years post transplant if patient is

disabled). This is a real catch-22.

Jan McIlvaine

Lankenau Hospital

Wynnewood, PA

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Great explanation Fred. Thanks I'm printing this one.

-Lori Bond

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Please fax me a copy also

Thank you

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Seems like this form would be a good one to add to the tfca handbook addendum

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

You are right. Forgot about that detail. Which makes it all the more important

that recipients just get both parts of Medicare from the beginning. We really

discourage folks getting Part A only. The Part B premium penalty for one.

Samaritan Transplant Services

1410 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Az. 85004

Fred Forsthoffer, MBA

Ph: ,

Fax:

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

I absolutely agree. We also have the recipient sign a form prior to tx, and

in this form, it clearly states that the recipient will be financially

responsible for anything the insurance and/or Medicare does not cover. It

also stresses in BIG, BOLD letters the importance of acquiring Medicare part

B- especially if they have any potential living donors.

In this case, we followed our protocol, as we always do.... but the

recipient didn't do his part.... and ultimately in the end, is having to

" pay for it " .... literally.

Thanks for your input!!

a

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do. Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Isn't any signature? Don't forget the to date it and have a witness

signature, from your office, we also record the document name and date of

signature in our transplant and facility computer data base. -Lori

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since the

live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis

so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid

for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is

refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc due

to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to do.

Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively

so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat

this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA

[Guest guest]

Exactly - sorry for the delay yesterday. I had to remove any of my

corporation's name reference (copywrite stuff) so thus I had to retype it

before I sent it.

Lori Bond

Financial Counselor in Transplant

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center

Donor Complications (again)

Hi All,

Help!! I have a kidney donor who has experienced spinal pain since

the

live

donor kidney transplant in August. The recipient was not on dialysis

so was

not on Medicare. She had a group HMO plan which authorized and paid

for the

transplant. The donor now has no insurance and the HMO plan is

refusing to

authorize his treatment. The docs here think he has a slipped disc

due

to

positioning during the procedure. I need some advice as to what to

do.

Do

I contact the recipient and have her apply for Medicare retroactively

so we

can put it on the cost report? I know we have an obligation to treat

this

donor but I would also prefer we not eat the costs involved.

Any help this wonderful group can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pat Hogan

Lahey Clinic

Burlington,MA