General

Q: What is the American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP)? 

A: Our program is a privately funded financial assistance program that helps both living donors and transplant recipients. This program is available nationwide and is focused on the most financially vulnerable patients and their families. We work hard to raise the funds and are here to provide real help to patients.  

Q: What types of grants are available and what is the difference between them?

A: We have three different types of grants:

• Transplant Recipients
  • Emergency Assistance Grant:  A grant of up to $500 for transplant recipients who are experiencing significant financial hardship that affects access to post-transplant care (rent, transportation to appointments, etc.).
  • Recipient Grant: A grant of up to $500 for those with delinquent insurance premiums to prevent loss of insurance coverage, those needing help with medication co-payments during insurance gap periods, and/or changes in insurance provider.
• Living Donors
  • Lost Wage Assistance: A grant of up to $500 to help compensate for the wages lost during the recovery period for living organ donors.

APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESS

Q: Who can submit the applications? 

A: Transplant Social Workers/Coordinators must submit the online application on behalf of their patients.

Q: When should applications be submitted? 

A: For transplant recipients, applications can be submitted any time after the transplant. For living donors, applications must be submitted at least 2-3 weeks prior to the surgery; we ask that you then email us to confirm that the surgery has taken place.

Q: What information should I include?

A: As much detail as possible about the patient’s financial and health situation! We are driven by our desire to help patients and their families, and we need your help to have an accurate picture of the situation the patient is dealing with. Please take the time to describe in detail why the patient is in need of assistance. If we need more information, we will contact you via email.

Q: When can I expect a funding decision after submitting?

A: Depending on the number of applicants, processing time can be anywhere between 3-6 weeks. 

Q: How am I notified of the status of an application I submitted?

A: All updates and decisions are sent automatically to the social worker/coordinator’s email that was entered into the application, including inquiries for more information. We recommend adding our email to your safe senders or frequently checking your spam folder. Due to an extremely high number of applicants, we will NOT respond to direct inquiries regarding application status. However, if it is past the review window of 3-6 weeks and you feel there may be an issue, we will assist you.

Q: What is the orientation and how do we complete it?

A: If an application is approved, before the patient is funded, the transplant center’s administrator or director needs to attend a 10-15 minute Zoom orientation with us. This can NOT be completed by the Transplant Social Worker but all are welcome to attend. This only needs to be completed one time per organization; please email support@americantransplantfoundation.org. to confirm if your organization has completed this and/or to schedule. You may submit the application prior to this step being completed.

Q: What is a vendor?

A: The application will ask for a vendor. A vendor is any entity to which the patient will use these funds for. This can be their landlord/mortgage company, utility company, pharmacy, insurance, etc. This information is essential to understand how these funds will be used.

Q: Who will be receiving the funds if approved?

A: The funds are sent directly via check to the patient at the address on the application. We will confirm this address with you prior to sending the funds, but please try to double-check that the address is correct. 

Q: Do you have to be a U.S. legal resident to receive assistance? Do you have to live in the U.S.? 

A: No, we don’t receive any government funds and are proud to consider all applicants regardless of their legal status. Yes, all applicants have to reside in the United States of America. 

Q: Can an unemployed living donor apply for assistance? 

A: No. Because this program covers lost wages, it is required that the living donor be employed at the time of the surgery.

FUNDING AND PROGRAM AVAILABILITY

Q: How are funding decisions being made?  

A: Our ATF staff first review all applications to ensure that they meet the program guidelines. Applications are then sent to the Transplant Leadership Council (TLC) volunteer members for final decisions. Volunteers only see the first name of the patient and key details; transplant center affiliations are not disclosed.

Q: Where does the American Transplant Foundation (ATF) get funding for this program? 

A: ATF does not receive any financial support from the government.  Funding comes solely from donations/sponsorships. If you are a social worker or living donor coordinator, the best way you can support this program is to talk to your administrator or director about this program. All sponsorships go directly to the patient assistance fund, are 100% tax-deductible, and come with additional marketing benefits depending on support level. 

Q: Is funding for this program guaranteed? 

A: No. Our team works hard throughout the year to acquire donations and sponsorships for this program to ensure that funds are available. We don’t receive any government funds. All funding decisions are final. We treat our partner hospitals with utmost respect and expect the same in return in order to participate in the program. That includes following the guidelines and understanding that sometimes technical issues happen.  

Q: Is there a maximum amount that patients can receive in PAP grants? 

A: Currently, maximum grants are $500 for all transplant recipients and living donors. Although we sincerely wish to provide every applicant with the maximum amount, we are currently receiving a high number of applications and may offer differing amounts to each applicant.

Q: Can our organization partner with ATF to increase funding?

A: Absolutely! We would be thrilled to work with your organization to explore how we can better serve your patients. Please contact support@americantransplantfoundation.org if your administrator would like to discuss options!

OTHER

Q: Are there any additional programs available through your foundation?  

A: Yes! We offer several other incredible programs intended to help transplant recipients, living donors, and their families.