What tests do liver transplant candidates need and what is the cost?

What tests do liver transplant candidates need and what is the cost?  By the way, I want you to know that, since I am experiencing this and gone through a lot of this process, I would be more than happy to communicate with you on any liver issue questions that you may have. Feel free to contact my anytime even if you need somebody to sound off to. 

Now back to the testing process.  Please keep in mind that not all liver transplant candidates are the same, so there is no hard and fast rule of who gets what kind of tests, and/or treatment.  Here are the basic tests that I received and the approx. costs:

            Name                                             Gross Cost      Net Cost
Physical Exam incl stress test                      $165.00         $    3.00
Chest X-Ray                                               125.00                   0
Blood Test with Liver Function                    240.00                   0
Liver Scan – Sonogram                               300.00              30.00
EKG                                                           150.00              10.00
Liver Scan – MRI                                    3,500.00             25.00
Heart – Sonogram                                      100.00             10.00
Doctor Visit – Follow Up on Results            80.00              10.00
Liver Transplant Center Visit                      400.00              60.00
Endoscopy and Colonoscopy                     600.00             180.00
Dental Exam                                              150.00             150.00
Totals                                                    $5730.00          $496.00

Of course the above figures are only the beginning of the process and will vary according to a lot of factors, such as the medical facility you attend and there costs, insurance coverage, etc.

The frequency of the blood tests went from weekly down to monthly, and the doctor visits went from bi-monthly to semi-annually.  Since my doctor visits were at OSU Medical Facility in Columbus, Ohio and about 100 mi. one way, the travel costs I saved were big. The blood tests were administered at a local facility and no big deal.  At least I wasn’t getting punctured as often. Ha!

Please keep in mind there are other costs involved because of the frequency of blood tests, visits and consults with medical teams, and other necessary tests. As a matter of fact, the total for the year 2010 will be about $48,000, of which I will pay approx. $3,500, which includes medication subscriptions.

If anybody has some comments on this blog, please feel free to jump right in.  The more dialogue the better. And I am sure that I forgot to include some details somewhere.