Evaluation Process

You can call (800) 749-7424 ext 5-0254 to make a referral to the kidney transplant program at the Shands Transplant Center at the University of Florida.

In order to determine if you and your donor make a good match for a kidney transplant, you must come to the Shands Transplant Center at UF for an evaluation.

The evaluation makes sure that the patient:

Is an appropriate candidate
Can safely undergo a major surgical procedure
Doesn't have medical, psychosocial or other problems to be corrected before transplantation
Has a reasonable chance of benefiting from transplantation over the long term
Is likely to be compliant with taking immunosuppressive and other medications and returning for clinic visits (here or elsewhere)
Can afford post-transplant immunosuppressive drugs

Transplant candidates
If you are candidate for a kidney transplant, you will be scheduled for a complete evaluation. The evaluation will include blood tests, X-rays and diagnostic tests. You may be seen by several members of our health care team, including a kidney doctor, transplant surgeon, psychologist, urologist, social worker, physicians assistant, financial counselor and transplant nurse coordinator.

During the evaluation, your kidney transplant team will learn about you so we can prepare you for your new kidney in the best way possible. You will also have a chance to get to know us and learn more about kidney transplantation and how it will affect you.

If you are planning to get a kidney from a living donor, he or she will have a complete medical and psychological evaluation at a later date. This donor evaluation may be done at Shands at UF or other arrangements can be made with a doctor in the donors area.

After evaluation
After your evaluation is complete, the transplant team will make recommendations to your referring kidney doctor. After you have completed everything that the transplant team requires you to do and they have reviewed all your test results, we will either add your name to the kidney waiting list or begin evaluating any living donors.

It is in your best interest to complete all tests and dental work as soon as possible. Once the transplant team has a full picture of your current health status, they will proceed with plans for your transplant. The waiting period for a well-matched cadaveric kidney may take several months or years, depending on your blood type, your transplant antigens and your antibody level.

You will be required to attend a Patient and Family Education group meeting during your evaluation to discuss specific topics related to kidney transplant.

Payment
Every transplant candidate is seen by a hospital financial counselor. The counselor will confirm your insurance coverage, discuss your financial responsibility and tell you about the different options that may be available to you. The donor and recipient evaluations and surgeries are paid for by several methods, which include managed care, commercial insurance, Renal Medicare and Florida Medicaid.

If you are covered by Renal Medicare Part B, it will pay 80 percent of the cost of the anti-rejection drugs and you will be responsible for 20 percent. At this time, Renal Medicare covers the cost for three years. However, Medicare does not pay for all the drugs you will need to take after transplant.

If you are covered by another insurance that pays for medications, that insurer may cover some of the remaining cost that Medicare does not. You will be responsible for any co-payments required by your insurance coverage.

There are other sources that you may qualify for based on financial need. The pharmacy services representatives are willing to discuss the details of these sources with you before you make your decision about transplantation.

Statistics
Success rate and various other statistics regarding the Shands Transplant Center at UF are available from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients at ustransplant.org.

Transplant Navigation

Heart and Lung Transplant

Kidney Transplant Navigation

Discharge after transplantation

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about transplant services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.