Getting Listed

Once you have selected which transplant center(s) are best for your needs, you can start thinking about getting listed with a specific transplant center. The information below will help you understand what you will need to do before you can be added to the list. An important step in the transplant journey is completing the evaluation at the transplant center to make sure transplant is a good option for you.

Getting listed with a transplant center ensures you are officially enrolled on the national organ transplant waiting list, which includes everyone in the United States waiting for an organ from a deceased donor. Getting on the wait list means you are one step closer to becoming a transplant recipient.

What to Expect

A referral to a transplant center may or may not be required first. You can check with your insurance provider and the transplant center to learn what they will require. After any needed referral is provided, an evaluation by a transplant center will be done before you are placed on the transplant waiting list.

Each transplant program has an evaluation process to determine if you can be listed with them. Keep in mind that each transplant center has its own organ transplant requirements and policies for choosing transplant candidates, and the evaluation is needed to provide the center with the information that is needed for these decisions. If you are unable to list with one center, that does not mean another center will not accept you. Each patient is reviewed individually and, on a case-by-case basis.

Once you are on the transplant waiting list, the amount of time you will be on it varies greatly. Some may be on the wait list for only a matter of days or weeks, while others wait for years. The questions and resources below will provide more information to understand what to expect.

Steps in the Journey

The information about each step in the journey will depend on the organ type. Expand the section for the organ type to see more details about each step.

Heart Transplants

Referral:

Depending on your situation, a referral for heart transplant may mean a referral from your medical provider or you may be able to "self-refer".

Evaluation:

The transplant center must complete an evaluation of all patients before they can be added to the heart transplant waiting list. The evaluation process will depend on the center and on your medical, social, and financial needs.

Listing:

The transplant center will determine if you are a candidate for heart transplant based on the evaluation. If you meet the heart transplant criteria, you will be given the option to be placed on the waiting list under that transplant center. The transplant center is responsible for adding candidates to the national waiting list.

Kidney Transplants

Referral:

Depending on your situation, a referral for kidney transplant may mean a referral from your medical provider or you may be able to "self-refer".

Evaluation:

The transplant center must complete an evaluation of all patients before they can be added to the kidney transplant waiting list. The evaluation process will depend on the center and on your medical, social, and financial needs.

Listing:

The transplant center will determine if you are a candidate for kidney transplant based on the evaluation. If you meet the kidney transplant criteria, you will be given the option to be placed on the waiting list under that transplant center. The transplant center is responsible for adding candidates to the national waiting list.

Liver Transplants

Referral:

Depending on your situation, a referral for kidney transplant may mean a referral from your medical provider or you may be able to "self-refer".

Evaluation:

The transplant center must complete an evaluation of all patients before they can be added to the kidney transplant waiting list. The evaluation process will depend on the center and on your medical, social, and financial needs.

Listing:

The transplant center will determine if you are a candidate for kidney transplant based on the evaluation. If you meet the kidney transplant criteria, you will be given the option to be placed on the waiting list under that transplant center. The transplant center is responsible for adding candidates to the national waiting list.

Lung Transplants

Referral:

Depending on your situation, a referral for lung transplant may mean a referral from your medical provider or you may be able to "self-refer".

Evaluation:

The transplant center must complete an evaluation of all patients before they can be added to the lung transplant waiting list. The evaluation process will depend on the center and on your medical, social, and financial needs.

Listing:

The transplant center will determine if you are a candidate for lung transplant based on the evaluation. If you meet the lung transplant criteria, you will be given the option to be placed on the waiting list under that transplant center. The transplant center is responsible for adding candidates to the national waiting list.

Pancreas Transplants

Referral:

Depending on your situation, a referral for pancreas transplant may mean a referral from your medical provider or you may be able to "self-refer".

Evaluation:

The transplant center must complete an evaluation of all patients before they can be added to the pancreas transplant waiting list. The evaluation process will depend on the center and on your medical, social, and financial needs.

Listing:

The transplant center will determine if you are a candidate for pancreas transplant based on the evaluation. If you meet the pancreas transplant criteria, you will be given the option to be placed on the waiting list under that center. The transplant center is responsible for adding candidates to the national waiting list.

Intestine Transplants

Referral:

Depending on your situation, a referral for intestine transplant may mean a referral from your medical provider or you may be able to "self-refer".

Evaluation:

The transplant center must complete an evaluation of all patients before they can be added to the intestine transplant waiting list. The evaluation process will depend on the center and on your medical, social, and financial needs.

Listing:

The transplant center will determine if you are a candidate for intestines transplant based on the evaluation. If you meet the intestine transplant criteria, you will be given the option to be placed on the waiting list under that transplant center. The transplant center is responsible for adding candidates to the national waiting list.

Questions to Consider

Patients may not know what information is available to help guide their journey. The questions below are a place to start gathering information to discuss with your care team.

Heart Transplants