How Kidney Transplant Centers are Manipulating the Transplant Waitlist

The idea of rationing medical care is anathema to most doctors. Sure - we acknowledge that the realities of healthcare costs and insurance companies might limit our options, but there is always a sense that when something is truly, truly needed - we can get it done.
Except in one very particular situation - a situation where rationing of care is the norm. That situation? Organ transplantation.
There is no way around this - more patients need organ transplants than there are organs available to transplant. It is cold, hard arithmetic. No amount of negotiating with an insurance company, no amount of engaging in prior authorization can change that.
As a kidney doctor, this issue is close to my heart. There are around 100,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list in the US - with 3000 new patients being added per month. There are only 25,000 kidney transplants per year. And each year, around 5000 people die while waiting for a transplant.
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[@tonycap49]

I’ve been on the list for 6 1/2 years. A year in a half ago they sent letters saying I was in the top ten. I get these letters monthly, always stating I’m in the top ten. I got a call last June to be ready for a kidney coming and I was number 2, and I would get it if they couldn’t reach the number 1 person. They kidney turned out not to be good. Then I got a call in late November. Same deal, there was a kidney coming and I was number 2. That kidney didn’t work out either. Now it’s middle of March and nothing. I have kept every appointment, passed every test, and get bloodwork monthly. I’m starting to think something isn’t right.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

Very interesting study that seems like it will continue to drive discussion and hopefully process improvement

[@Petch85]

Did they check for corruption/money?