TY - JOUR
T1 - Payment for immunosuppression after organ transplantation
AU - Kasiske, Bertram L.
AU - Cohen, David
AU - Lucey, Michael R.
AU - Neylan, John F.
PY - 2000/5/10
Y1 - 2000/5/10
N2 - Dramatic improvements in organ transplantation have meant that a growing number of patients must take expensive immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives. Currently, Medicare covers most transplantation procedures in the United States, but ends coverage for outpatient immunosuppressive medications after 36 months. Evidence suggests that at least some patients have reduced immunosuppression and their transplant fail because they cannot afford these medication costs. In the years since the advent of effective immunosuppressive therapy, the US Congress has struggled with this issue, and in 1999 temporarily extended medication coverage for eligible patients (based on age and disability) by 8 months. However, a more permanent solution is needed. We advocate that Medicare should cover the cost of all immunosuppressive therapy for all solid organ transplant recipients who cannot afford to pay. A number of potentially cost-effective approaches could be taken, but, in any case, something must be done to ensure that transplants do not fail because recipients cannot pay for immunosuppression.
AB - Dramatic improvements in organ transplantation have meant that a growing number of patients must take expensive immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives. Currently, Medicare covers most transplantation procedures in the United States, but ends coverage for outpatient immunosuppressive medications after 36 months. Evidence suggests that at least some patients have reduced immunosuppression and their transplant fail because they cannot afford these medication costs. In the years since the advent of effective immunosuppressive therapy, the US Congress has struggled with this issue, and in 1999 temporarily extended medication coverage for eligible patients (based on age and disability) by 8 months. However, a more permanent solution is needed. We advocate that Medicare should cover the cost of all immunosuppressive therapy for all solid organ transplant recipients who cannot afford to pay. A number of potentially cost-effective approaches could be taken, but, in any case, something must be done to ensure that transplants do not fail because recipients cannot pay for immunosuppression.
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U2 - 10.1001/jama.283.18.2445
DO - 10.1001/jama.283.18.2445
M3 - Review article
C2 - 10815094
AN - SCOPUS:0034630949
SN - 0098-7484
VL - 283
SP - 2445
EP - 2450
JO - JAMA
JF - JAMA
IS - 18
ER -