Key points
- You should understand the costs associated with transplant so you and your family can plan ahead, if needed.
- The cost of your stay in hospital and lifelong medications depends on your situation. Financial assistance for travel, accommodation and parking is not provided.
- If you need support, you can apply for social welfare payments and carer’s allowance.
- Your medical social worker can also offer advice and connect you with additional support as part of the inpatient assessment.
Financial considerations
Having advanced lung disease and undergoing a lung transplant can have a number of financial impacts on you and your family.
- You and your care partner(s) may need to stop working, so there could be loss of income. Consider how you might afford your cost of living expenses.
- The cost of your life insurance or travel insurance policies may increase after transplant.
- You and your care partner(s) will need to make regular trips to Dublin. You and your family may need to stay overnight or for longer periods.
Financial assistance for travel, accommodation and parking is not provided by the hospital. You can speak to your social welfare office about whether financial support is available.
At the time of the surgery, there is a room in a hostel onsite where families can stay. It's available on a first come, first served basis. The nurse can request it on your behalf.
Medical costs
Medical card
You may be entitled to a medical card. Ask the social worker during your assessment, or talk to your local respiratory consultant.
Hospital bills
If you are an EU resident, there is no charge for your inpatient hospital stay or your outpatient clinic appointments.
If you attend the Emergency Department, a €100 fee may apply if you don't have a medical card or a GP referral letter.
If you are not an EU resident, you should speak to the medical social worker about charges that may apply.
Medications
If you have a medical card, it will cover the cost of your medications. However, the particular medications that are covered may change over time, so it is best to speak to your local pharmacist.
If you have private health insurance, talk to your provider about whether your plan covers any medication costs.
Every resident in Ireland is entitled to the Drugs Payment Scheme, which caps the amount you and your family pay for all necessary drugs.
Carer’s allowance
Your care partner may qualify for Carer’s Allowance, a weekly social welfare payment. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. You and your care partner will need to apply to the Department of Social Protection by completing the Carer’s Allowance application form. This form will also need to be completed by your GP (family doctor). Application forms are available at your local health centre and through MyWelfare.
Other resources
The transplant team includes a medical social worker who can help connect you to the right support during the inpatient assessment.
Other resources include:
● Community welfare officers at your HSE local health centre
Social welfare
If you need financial help, you should apply for social welfare. Social welfare payments are determined on a case-by-case basis. You can speak to someone at your local community welfare office about your situation.
Benefits for people who are sick or have a disability - citizensinformation.ie