Cost and Availability of Transplantation

Abstract

Bone marrow transplantation is a complex and expensive procedure. Estimates provided by different transplant centers in the USA, for example, range from $150,000 to $250,000, about DM 200,000 in Germany and about $100,000 in Canada. The cost may vary from country to country and the “visible” expenses may depend upon the health care system by which the patient is covered. Regardless, however, expenses incurred with marrow transplantation fall into the category of “catastrophic illness” that patients are generally not able to pay out of pocket. In some economically weak countries, it may not be possible to carry out transplants routinely even though the technology is available. The actual cost will depend upon a patient’s hospital course, since it is the hospitalization that accounts for the major fraction of the total bill. A major reduction of costs may be necessary to make transplantation more widely available.