Liver transplant - Care at Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic
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Liver transplant surgical consultation at Mayo Clinic At Mayo Clinic, a team of surgeons, doctors, transplant nurses and other health professionals take care of you before, during and after transplant. Liver transplants save lives when rare cancer strikes
Click here for an infographic to learn more Teamwork. At Mayo Clinic, a team of surgeons, doctors, transplant nurses, pharmacists, social workers and other health professionals take care of you before, during and after transplant. They provide quality care focused on the needs of you and your family. Coordinated care. Having all of this subspecialized expertise in a single place, focused on you, means that you're not just getting one opinion - your care is discussed among the team, your test results are available quickly, appointments are scheduled in coordination and your transplant care team works together to determine what's best for you. Experience. As a three-site institution, Mayo Clinic has one of the largest liver transplant programs in the United States. Its liver transplant team is recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise in comprehensive specialty treatment for people with serious liver conditions. Advanced technology. The innovations and technology of Mayo Clinic's liver transplant team make transplants available to more people. Our doctors and surgeons offer specialized procedures available at only a small number of institutions. These services include heart-liver transplants, treatment for bile duct cancer and treatment for patients with obesity who need liver transplant with weight-loss surgery (sleeve gastrectomy). Research. Researchers at Mayo Clinic are actively engaged in developing new technologies, treatments and techniques to make transplants safer and available to more people. For example, Mayo Clinic researchers study how to limit immune system rejection after liver transplant and how to use cell therapies to improve outcomes. At Mayo Clinic, you may have access to ongoing clinical trials, research and new treatments. Care team roles Health care professionals trained in many medical specialties work together as a team to ensure favorable outcomes from your liver transplant. The Mayo Clinic experience and patient stories
Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Mystery gift of liver for Mayo patient leads to chance emotional meeting
As they walked along the beach and collected stones on a warm, sunny day in Hawaii in 2019, Rob and Amanda Blasius of Phoenix reflected on the challenging medical odyssey that saved Rob's life just a year earlier. That's when he underwent a liver transplant at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona. To honor Rob's precious gift of a liver, he and Amanda stacked rocks that formed a "cairn," a mound of rough stones typically built as a memorial. They… Liver transplant helps Bob Lemoine pay it forward
It was more than 20 years ago when former information technology manager, Bob Lemoine was diagnosed with hepatitis C and eventually, liver cancer. In September 2009, Bob was told that he had 3-6 months to live. After being referred to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, Bob got a new lease on life when on Jan. 21, 2010, he received a liver transplant. "Every morning I thank God for giving me this chance to live better… Daughter quits smoking to donate liver to her mom
When she learned that a liver transplant could save her mom's life, April Wilson didn't hesitate to stop smoking and say yes to being a living donor. April Wilson smoked for 25 years and tried many times to quit, but nothing seemed to work. "I tried everything," April says. "I used every replacement therapy, Chantix, [...] After 165-day stay transplant patient says I m in the safest place I can be
George Caceres and Maria Cook George Caceres came to Mayo Clinic with advanced liver disease and stayed for more than five months, much of it during COVID-19 restrictions. His care team made him feel safe and cared for. George Caceres' smile is contagious. Just ask his Mayo Clinic care team, who came to know him [...] Expertise and rankings
Transplant team at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic's three-site Liver Transplant Program is one of the largest in the country. Each year, Mayo's doctors and surgeons diagnose and treat thousands of people with liver disease. Mayo Clinic's three-site Liver Transplant Program is one of the largest in the country. Mayo Clinic also has one of the largest living-donor programs in the United States. Living-donor transplant is an option that, for many people, reduces time on the waiting list for a donor liver and improves outcomes. Experience
Mayo Clinic's Liver Transplant Program was established in 1985. Since then, Mayo Clinic has completed more than 8,700 transplants in children and adults. Mayo Clinic s campus in Florida has completed more than 3,750 liver transplants, a milestone that very few centers nationwide have achieved. Innovation and research
The liver transplant teams in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota are leaders and innovators in heart-liver transplants, transplants for people with liver cancer and use of anti-rejection drugs that help ensure positive outcomes. People with challenging health situations come to Mayo Clinic for help because our doctors and surgeons are experts in specialized liver transplant options. The Mayo Clinic Transplant Center supports many studies for liver transplant research. For example, Mayo Clinic researchers are developing a bioartificial liver that could help patients cope as they await a donor liver. Nationally recognized expertise
Liver transplant outcomes at Mayo Clinic compare favorably with the national average. Volumes and outcomes
Mayo Clinic doctors' experience and integrated team approach results in transplant outcomes that compare favorably with national averages. Teams work with transplant recipients before, during and after surgery to ensure the greatest likelihood of superior results. Volumes and statistics are maintained separately for the three Mayo Clinic locations. Taken together or separately, transplant recipients at Mayo Clinic enjoy excellent results. Locations travel and lodging
The Mayo Clinic Transplant Center offers care and housing for transplant recipients and their families in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states. For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below: Mayo Clinic s campus in Arizona
Mayo Clinic s campus in Florida
Mayo Clinic s campus in Minnesota
Mayo Clinic Health System
Costs and insurance
Liver transplant cost and insurance information
Mayo Clinic has dedicated transplant financial services representatives and social workers who can assist you with insurance and financial questions regarding your transplant. Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. Many insurance companies require you to get preapproval authorization prior to transplant services. Insurance information
Before your transplant, it's important that you work closely with your insurance company to understand your benefit plan. You'll be responsible for any of your transplant and medical care costs not covered by your insurance company. You may want to ask your insurance company several questions regarding your transplant expenses, such as: What is the specific coverage of my plan? What are my deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, lifetime maximum amount and annual maximum amounts for both medical care and transplant services? Does my plan have a preexisting or waiting period clause? If so, what is the time frame? Can this be waived? Does my plan include pharmacy coverage? If so, will my plan cover my current medications and immunosuppressant medications? Does my plan require any special approvals for evaluation or transplant? How long does the approval process take once submitted to insurance? Does my plan cover my transportation and lodging expenses during my transplant care? Does my current insurance require enrollment in Medicare when eligible? Does my insurance follow Medicare coordination of benefits guidelines? How will my current coverage change after enrolling in Medicare? Will my plan become a supplemental or secondary plan? If your plan is a Medicare supplement, ask questions including: Does my plan follow Medicare guidelines? Does my plan cover Medicare Part A and B deductible and coinsurance? Does my plan have a preexisting or waiting period? If so, what is the time frame? Does my plan offer an option for Medicare Part D coverage? Other expenses
Please plan for other expenses that may occur related to your transplant, which may include follow-up medical appointments, long-term medications, caregiver expenses, travel, parking, lodging and other expenses. For international patients
Mayo Clinic has dedicated international patient account representatives who can assist you with questions regarding your costs and insurance. Read more about international financial services. Case managers
Mayo Clinic financial staff will work closely with your case managers from your insurance company. Your case manager, who is assigned to you, is available to answer questions and calls related to your insurance costs. More information about billing and insurance: Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota Mayo Clinic Health System Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments Oct. 20, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references AskMayoExpert. Liver transplantation (child). Mayo Clinic; 2021. Liver transplant. American Liver Foundation. https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/liver-transplant/#what-can-people-do-to-help-those-who-need-liver-transplants. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. The progression of liver disease. American Liver Foundation. https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/#doctors-visit-guide. Accessed Aug. 24, 2021. Waiting for your transplant. UNOS Transplant Living. https://transplantliving.org/before-the-transplant/waiting-for-your-transplant/. Accessed Aug. 23, 2021. Busuttil RW, et al., eds. Donor selection and management. In: Transplantation of the Liver. 3rd ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2015. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. Side effects. UNOS Transplant Living. https://transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/preventing-rejection/side-effects/. Accessed Aug. 23, 2021. Dove LM, et al. Liver transplantation in adults: Patient selection and pretransplantation evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. Bambha K, et al. Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. Cotler S. Living donor liver transplantation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. Lerut J, et al. Domino-liver transplantation: Toward a safer and simpler technique in both donor and recipient. Updates in Surgery. 2021; doi:10.1007/s13304-020-00886-4. Kwong A, et al. OPTN/SRTR 2018 annual data report: Liver. American Journal of Transplantation. 2020; doi:10.1111/ajt.15674. Croome KP, et al. The use of donation after cardiac death allografts does not increase recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. American Journal of Transplantation. 2015; doi:10.1111/ajt.13306. Zhou W, et al. Stem cell-related studies and stem cell-based therapies in liver disease. Cell Transplantation. 2019; doi:10.1177/0963689719859262. Preventing rejection. UNOS Transplant Living. https://transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/preventing-rejection/. Accessed Aug. 23, 2021. Why join a support group. UNOS Transplant Living. https://transplantliving.org/community/support-groups/. Accessed Aug. 23, 2021. Chen HS, et al. Randomized trial of spheroid reservoir bioartificial liver in porcine model of posthepatectomy liver failure. Hepatology. 209; doi:10.1002/hep.30184. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 24, 2021. Liver transplantation. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/immunology-allergic-disorders/transplantation/liver-transplantation?query=liver transplantation#. Accessed Aug. 24, 2021. Feather A, et al., eds. Liver disease. In: Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 24, 2021. Overview of transplantation. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/immunology-allergic-disorders/transplantation/overview-of-transplantation#. Accessed Aug. 24, 2021. Burt AD, et al., eds. Transplantation pathology. In: MacSween's Pathology of the Liver. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 31, 2021. Ekser, B, et al. Current status of combined liver-kidney transplantation. International Journal of Surgery. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.008. The organ transplant process. Health Resources and Services Administration. https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/process/transplant-process. Accessed Sept. 7, 2021. Related
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