Medicare Will Cover Liver Transplants
Liver transplants may now be paid for by Medicare, federal officials said Friday.
The transplants, usually costing more than $135,000, will be covered at hospitals that have demonstrated experience and good survival rates, and will be allowed for patients with a “critical need” and a “maximum likelihood” of recovery.
Transplants performed as early as March 8, 1990, could be covered, the Health Care Financing Administration said in announcing requirements that hospitals must meet to be approved as Medicare liver transplant facilities.
These hospitals will have to show that 77% of their liver transplant patients survive at least one year and that 60% survive at least two years, the agency said in a notice.
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