BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine kidney transplant recipients' ability to afford transplant-related out-of-pocket expenses and the financial impact of these expenses on their lives. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 77 kidney recipients. Variables analyzed were: ability to afford daily necessities; impact of immunosuppressant expenses on patients' lives; awareness of Medicare support terminating three yr post-transplant; and strategies used to pay for out-of-pocket transplant expenses. The Economic Strain Scale measured financial strain. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of kidney recipients experienced financial strain. Poor, less educated, and younger patients were more likely to report financial strain. Out-of-pocket expenses relating to kidney transplantation adversely affected patients' ability to afford leisure activities (35%), a house (27%), and a car (26%). Thirty-one percent reported that immunosuppressant expenses have had somewhat to great (adverse) impact on their lives. Of those on Medicare and not disabled (n = 41), 51% were unaware Medicare coverage will terminate and 71% did not know how long coverage lasts. CONCLUSIONS: Financial strain presents a considerable risk to kidney recipients' ability to purchase immunosuppression. Socioeconomic disparities in recipients' financial strain may be a source of disparities in graft survival. Transplant professionals should better inform transplant candidates about financial consequences of transplantation.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine kidney transplant recipients' ability to afford transplant-related out-of-pocket expenses and the financial impact of these expenses on their lives. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 77 kidney recipients. Variables analyzed were: ability to afford daily necessities; impact of immunosuppressant expenses on patients' lives; awareness of Medicare support terminating three yr post-transplant; and strategies used to pay for out-of-pocket transplant expenses. The Economic Strain Scale measured financial strain. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of kidney recipients experienced financial strain. Poor, less educated, and younger patients were more likely to report financial strain. Out-of-pocket expenses relating to kidney transplantation adversely affected patients' ability to afford leisure activities (35%), a house (27%), and a car (26%). Thirty-one percent reported that immunosuppressant expenses have had somewhat to great (adverse) impact on their lives. Of those on Medicare and not disabled (n = 41), 51% were unaware Medicare coverage will terminate and 71% did not know how long coverage lasts. CONCLUSIONS: Financial strain presents a considerable risk to kidney recipients' ability to purchase immunosuppression. Socioeconomic disparities in recipients' financial strain may be a source of disparities in graft survival. Transplant professionals should better inform transplant candidates about financial consequences of transplantation.
Authors: Matthew Kadatz; John S Gill; Jagbir Gill; Richard N Formica; Scott Klarenbach Journal: J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2019-11-08 Impact factor: 10.121
Authors: Margaret E Helmuth; Qian Liu; Marc N Turenne; Jeong M Park; Murewa Oguntimein; Sarah K Dutcher; Rajesh Balkrishnan; Pratima Sharma; Jarcy Zee; Alan B Leichtman; Abigail R Smith Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2019-02-28 Impact factor: 8.237
Authors: Allyson Hart; Sally K Gustafson; Andrew Wey; Nicholas Salkowski; Jon J Snyder; Bertram L Kasiske; Ajay K Israni Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2019-03-05 Impact factor: 8.086
Authors: Bekir Tanriover; Patricia W Stone; Sumit Mohan; David J Cohen; Robert S Gaston Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2013-04-04 Impact factor: 8.237
Authors: Qian Liu; Abigail R Smith; Jeong M Park; Murewa Oguntimein; Sarah Dutcher; Ghalib Bello; Margaret Helmuth; Marc Turenne; Rajesh Balkrishnan; Melissa Fava; Charlotte A Beil; Adam Saulles; Sangeeta Goel; Pratima Sharma; Alan Leichtman; Jarcy Zee Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2018-03-31 Impact factor: 8.086
Authors: Vanessa Grubbs; Laura C Plantinga; Eric Vittinghoff; Ann M O'Hare; R Adams Dudley Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2012-08-16 Impact factor: 2.655