A kidney transplant operation can take between 2 and 5 hours.

A combined kidney and pancreas transplant operation can take between 4 and 7 hours.

A typical patient will recover in the hospital for 3-5 days. Should any complications arise, this stay will be extended at the advice of your surgeon.

Most insurance carriers, including Medicare and Medicaid, pay for kidney transplants.

If Medicare is your primary insurer, your transplant must be at a Medicare-approved center. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is a Medicare-approved center for an organ transplant.

Most transplant patients are eligible for Medicare if they suffer from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and can apply at the transplant time.

The benefits are backdated to the first of the month the transplant was received. Medicare may be the primary insurer or secondary based on the "Coordination of Benefits" ruling.

If you would like additional information, you may download a copy of the official government booklet Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services.

This is one of the most important questions that you will need to answer before transplant.

If you cannot get your prescription medications after your transplant, your transplant will most likely fail.

If you have Medicare at the time of the transplant and Medicare is primary, your immunosuppressive drugs will be covered at 80% under Medicare B.

You will be responsible for the remaining 20% copay if you do not have a Medicare supplemental policy in effect. Even if you have a prescription plan, it may not cover your medications at 100%.

Out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications can be over $500 for the first few months post-transplant and continue from $200 to $500 for the transplant life.

Assistance may be available through pharmaceutical companies, Extra Help through Social Security LIS or several transplant-specific funding sources.

The financial coordinator and the social worker will discuss the options available to you in more detail when meeting with you.

If your insurance changes, you must notify the financial coordinator immediately. The transplant center will need to get approval from your insurance plan before your transplant.

If you change insurance and do not tell us, we may not get the required authorization. Without proper consent, the insurance company may deny payment for the transplant and all of your aftercare.

There are some hidden costs that you need to be aware of. These include, but are not limited to:

• Transportation to and from the transplant center before and after the transplant
• Food and lodging for you and your family
• Lost wages
• Childcare

Reminder: Medicare coverage, based on end-stage renal disease, ends three years post-transplant.

A typical patient should plan to be off work for 6 to 8 weeks after transplant.

A typical patient may resume driving 3 weeks after transplant, depending on several factors.

A typical patient is expected to get transplant standing labs twice a week at OSF Saint Francis outpatient lab in Peoria for 4-8 weeks, or until your lab work is stable. You will be seen in the OSF

Transplant office 1-2 times a week by the transplant physician or post-transplant coordinator, for up to 4-8 week.

A typical patient is not on any dietary restrictions after transplant. Unless you are diabetic, then follow all guidelines related to diabetes.

You will be advised to maintain a healthy, balanced diet daily. This will include ingesting salt and sugar in moderation.

You will be advised to drink 64-80 ounces of water a day. Staying well hydrated and eating healthy will be important.

A typical patient will be starting out with 7-9 new medications.

Three-five of those new medications will be discontinued after 3-6 months and 4 of those will remain for the life of your function organ(s).

There is a possibility that some medications you currently take, will not be continued after transplant.