For most, a kidney transplant will give a person with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) better quality of life. Certain criteria must be met to be added to the kidney transplant waitlist, however, which means a transplant isn’t always an option. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) explains everything you need to know about the transplant waitlist, including qualifications, steps to take, potential wait time, and costs.* 

Who manages the transplant waiting list? 

A kidney from a living donor typically has longer and better results than a deceased organ, but not everyone may be able to get an organ donation from a living donor. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) manages the waiting list for all deceased organ donations.  

UNOS has a centralized computer network that links all of the organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and transplant centers (hospitals that perform transplants) in the U.S.

UNOS looks at multiple factors to help determine transplant priority, which includes: 

• blood type, 
• antibody matching, 
• time with kidney failure, 
• age (children given priority depending on the center), 
• if you were a past live kidney donor, 
• medical urgency, 
• where you live, and
• (occasionally) weight and size.

How do I get on the transplant waitlist? 

Once you are on dialysis or have a GFR of 20 or less, you may qualify to be on the list. According to the NKF, these are the steps you need to take to be added to the list: 

• Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to a local transplant center or contact a transplant center in your area. Learn as much as possible about the different transplant centers.
• Choose a transplant center that best fits your needs. Things you should consider when choosing a center include insurance coverage and cost; ease of location; whether or not they perform living donations and if they participate in a kidney paired exchange program; and support group availability.
• Schedule an appointment for an evaluation. An evaluation will help determine if you are a candidate for a kidney transplant. Each center has specific criteria for accepting patients for transplant.
  

Some transplant centers may have more restrictions than others on certain factors, like age and further medical or health conditions. Speak with a team member at the transplant center to get more information on their restrictions.

What is the average wait time for a kidney transplant?

The average wait time is 3-5 years, but this can vary due to several different factors. These may include the following:

• How many donors are available in your area
• How well you match with the available kidney
• Your blood type (Blood type O typically has the longest wait)
• Your sensitivity to high antibody levels from previous pregnancies, blood transfusions, and/or transplants 

How do I find out my status on the transplant list?

UNOS will not confirm your placement or status on the waitlist, but your transplant center must inform you when you have been placed on the list. When you get a kidney match, your transplant center will call you. You will need to respond quickly to ensure you get the transplant. 

Who pays for the transplant cost?

Both Medicare and most private health insurance will cover the majority of the cost. Your transplant center can go through your insurance policy with you and address any cost concerns.  

*National Kidney Foundation. (2020, Apr. 16). The Kidney Transplant Waitlist – What You Need to Know. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/transplant-waitlist