Which Health Disorders Require Kidney Transplant Surgery?

Kidney transplant surgery can be expensive as we all know. The kidney is a vital body organ which helps in the removal of toxins, waste and extra water from our bloodstreams, converting Vitamin D into a more active form. It also creates hormones that produce red blood cells. Yet, some health ailments may lead to a disruption of the smoother functioning of kidneys, leading to the need for surgeries. 

What is Kidney Transplantation?

The kidney transplant procedure enables the replacement of the non-operational kidney of any affected individual by the disease-free and healthy kidney of a living/deceased donor. It is done to ensure that the transplanted kidney executes the functions of kidneys which are not working properly anymore. The surgery also does away with the need of dialysis of the patient in the future. 

Before learning about the kidney transplant cost in India, you should delve a little deeper into the process itself. During this surgery, the kidney which is donated is positioned in the lower abdomen of the patient and the veins and arteries of the individual are linked with the kidney as well. If the kidney is donated by a living individual, it is called the living-donor transplantation. In a similar manner, when a deceased individuals’ kidney is positioned in the body of the patient, then it is called deceased-donor transplantation. 

Health Ailments Which May Require This Surgical Process

While you should always be aware of the kidney transplant price in India, you should also know about the ailments for which this procedure is needed. Some of the ailments for which kidney transplant surgeries are required include the following: 

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

Who are not eligible to get this surgery done?

The following people may not have eligibility for the transplant surgery. They include people with mental illnesses or dementia, those with severe heart ailments, cancer that is active or has been treated recently and those who need treatment for the abuse of alcohol/drugs. 

Is There Health Insurance Available for Kidney Transplant in India? 

Before wondering about how much kidney transplant costs in India, you should know whether the procedure is covered by health insurance. Almost all health insurance plans cover the kidney transplant surgery cost in India.

What is the cost of a Kidney Transplant in India? 

It can range between Rs. 3.1-13.9 lakh, depending on the location or city where the surgery will be done, the hospital and of course, various other factors including the health condition of the patient. Not every individual may be able to quickly shell out funds for the kidney transplant costs and this is where health insurance comes to the rescue. 

If the surgery is required due to any final-stage rental or kidney failure/disease, then the cost of the same will also be covered under critical illness policies of patients. Health insurance policies will offer coverage for medical costs of the surgery along with the hospitalization, room rent, diagnostics, ambulance charges, and post-hospitalization costs. If ICU treatment is required, then these costs will also have coverage under such plans. Expenditure for organ harvesting of kidney donors is also covered under these policies. 

Waiting Periods for Coverage of Kidney Transplant Surgeries

Most health insurance plans offer coverage for these surgeries after the completion of a specific waiting period. This indicates that the insured’s surgery costs can be paid out by the insurance company only once this period gets over. In most cases, these surgeries have coverage under critical illness/health insurance policies after a 90-day waiting period. Yet, this duration varies across insurance plans and policies. However, if there was a diagnosis of the insured person with a specific medical ailment or disease that necessitates a kidney transplant before purchasing a policy, then the waiting period will be applicable for the pre-existing disease in question. It may happen since the disease is perceived as a pre-existing ailment by the insurer. 

Pre-existing ailments usually get coverage after the completion of a four-year waiting period. Yet, this duration may vary across insurance companies as well. Policyholders should carefully scrutinize the waiting periods for pre-existing ailments in their policies before raising their claims. Kidney transplant surgeries are needed if there are multiple health ailments for any individual, including renal disease at the end/final stage. Since this is a costly form of treatment, policyholders should purchase health insurance for covering costs linked to surgery. You should always compare insurance policies before purchasing any health insurance plan for surgeries. 

Health Insurance is Always the Best Bet

Kidney transplant surgeries are costly without a doubt. In normal cases, paying for these treatments would necessitate spending a mini fortune out of one’s own savings and jeopardizing the household’s financial situation as a result. Hence, it is always advisable to invest in health insurance and check whether the plan covers such treatments or not. This will always safeguard you from the financial impact of these surgeries and is the best bet for future-proofing your medical and family future alike.