New York Living Donor Support Program will help eligible living organ donors with some expenses

The New York State Department of Health in October announced the launch of the Living Donor Support Program to help cover eligible expenses associated with the living donation process.

More than 8,000 people in the state are currently awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant. More than 7,000 of those are in need of a kidney transplant. More than 500 are in need of a liver transplant. A living donor can give one of their two kidneys, or a portion of their liver, to someone who requires a transplant.

The Living Donor Support Program was established through bipartisan legislation which overwhelmingly passed the State Senate and Assembly in 2022 and was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. 

"This is a new program that allows someone to become a living donor and give a part of yourself to save the life of another. Expenses should not be the barrier that stops a person from choosing to help another in this way," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a news release.

"There is a great need for organ donation, with far too many patients waiting on the list to receive an organ for transplant," Dr. McDonald added. "This reimbursement program will remove financial barriers so more New Yorkers can give the gift of life with the peace of mind that their financial needs will be covered."

The fund, operated by the State Department of Health, can pay up to $14,000 for certain expenses related to the living donation process when both the living donor and the ultimate recipient of their living donation are residents of New York State. Living donor expenses eligible for reimbursement under the program include travel expenses, lost wages, dependent care expenses and certain unreimbursed medical costs.

To apply for participation in the program, a prospective living donor must submit their application to the transplant center before their donation surgery occurs. The transplant center will add center-specific information to the application and submit it to the Living Donor Support Program. Applications cannot be submitted by prospective donors directly to the program. Prospective living donors approved for participation in the program will be notified of their acceptance and receive instructions as to next steps.

After prospective donors have been accepted into the program and completed the steps required for the Department to be able to reimburse them, they may begin to submit claims for reimbursement on approved forms with receipts of expenses included.

Information about the New York State Department of Health's Living Donor Support Program can be found here and questions can be sent to LivingDonor@health.ny.gov.

More information on how to become a living donor can be found here.