Which Health Disorders Require a Kidney Transplant Surgery?

What is a Kidney Transplant Surgery?

Kidney transplant surgery is a procedure in which the patient’s non-functional kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney of a living or deceased donor. It is conducted so that the transplanted kidney performs the functions of two kidneys that no longer function properly. The surgery also eliminates the need for the patient to undergo dialysis.

During a kidney transplant surgery, the donated kidney is placed in the patient’s lower abdomen and the patient’s artery & veins are connected with that of the kidney. When the kidney is donated by a living person, it is known as the living-donor transplantation. Similarly, when the kidney of a deceased person is placed in the patient’s body, it is known as the deceased-donor transplantation.

Which Health Disorders May Require a Kidney Transplant Surgery?

Here are some of the most prominent health disorders that may demand a kidney transplant surgery:

• End-stage renal disease
• Congenital renal obstructive disorders
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Congenital nephrotic syndrome
• Nephropathic and juvenile cystinosis
• Goodpasture syndrome
• Alport syndrome
• Nail patella syndrome
• Berger disease
• Glomerulonephritis
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Henoch-schonlein purpura
• Wegener granulomatosis

Who is Not Eligible for a Kidney Transplant Surgery?

A kidney transplant surgery is not recommended to some people. Take a look at the people who may not be eligible for a kidney transplant surgery:

• Elderly people
• People with a severe heart disease
• People with an active or recently-treated cancer
• People with poorly controlled mental illness or dementia
• People requiring treatment for alcohol or drug abuse

Health Insurance for Kidney Transplant Surgery

A kidney transplant surgery is an expensive medical procedure in India. The cost of a kidney transplant surgery ranges somewhere between Rs 3.1 lakh to Rs 13.9 lakh depending on the hospital and the city where the surgery will be conducted. As a result, not everyone can afford a kidney transplant surgery and those who do, end up losing a big chunk of their savings.

However, people with a health insurance policy do not have to worry about paying for their kidney transplant surgery. This is because all health insurance plans in India cover the cost of a kidney transplant surgery. In case the surgery is required due to end-stage renal disease/ kidney failure, then critical illness insurance plans will also provide coverage for the surgery.

When it comes to a kidney transplant surgery, a health insurance policy will cover the medical expenses incurred on hospitalization, surgery, pre-hospitalization diagnostics, ambulance services, post-hospitalization follow-up, etc. In case the insured needs to be shifted to an ICU, the resultant charges are also covered by the policy.

Moreover, a health insurance policy also covers the expenses incurred by a kidney donor for organ harvesting.

Waiting Period to Cover a Kidney Transplant Surgery by Health Insurance

All health insurance plans cover a kidney transplant surgery after a waiting period. This means that the insurance company will pay for the insured’s transplant surgery only after the waiting period is over.

Generally, a kidney transplant surgery is covered by health insurance/ critical illness plans after a waiting period of 90 days. However, this waiting period may vary from one insurance plan to another.

But in case the insured was diagnosed with the disease/ medical condition requiring a kidney transplant surgery before buying the policy, pre-existing diseases waiting period will apply. This happens because the disease is considered a pre-existing disease by the insurance company.

Mostly, pre-existing diseases are covered after a waiting period of up to 4 years. However, the waiting period may vary from one insurance provider to another. Hence, the policyholder must check the pre-existing disease waiting period before raising a claim.

In a Nutshell

A kidney transplant surgery is a major surgery required in case of multiple health disorders, such as end-stage renal disease. Since it is an expensive surgery, people must buy health insurance to get the surgery costs covered. Do not forget to compare multiple plans to buy the best health insurance for kidney transplant surgery online.