MatchingDonors.com Airline Contact Numbers For Testing and Surgery  as of April 2, 2010

You should contact the following in the order below.  If one organization cannot help you call the next one on the list.  Some also offer free companion fares.

Some insurance companies may pay for the airfare, hotel, taxi, food for your entire trip.  Call your insurance company and find out if this benefit exists.  Your doctor might have to refer you to a special group within the insurance company that handles out-of-state medical care.  Do your research.  Ask many questions.   Work with more than one person - sometimes a contact just won't know the information and will make an assumption.  If you find out that any of these programs have changed please contact us so we may update our list.

1.     ASTS and University of Michigan Receive HRSA Grant

The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and the University of Michigan (UM) are pleased to announce the receipt of a major grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The 4-year grant will provide reimbursement of travel expenses and subsistence costs for living organ donors, removing an important financial disincentive to living organ donation.

As part of the ASTS Mission to “increase organ donation”, the UM-ASTS project team will work closely with HRSA to develop an efficient nationwide system to identify potential live organ donors who face financial hardship in meeting travel and subsistence expenses associated with the process of evaluation and undergoing live organ donation procedures.

The project scientists will critically evaluate the specific impact of the reimbursement program on facilitating live organ donations that would not have otherwise been possible.  According to Project Director Akinlolu Ojo, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Michigan, “The costs of travel, lodging, and other expenses incurred by individuals who wish to be evaluated as potential organ donors may be prohibitive.  For these people, who may otherwise be very suitable donors for their loved ones, reimbursement of these out-of-pocket expenses may make the critical difference and allow them to proceed.”

Under provisions of the grant, a National Living Donor Assistance Center will be established at the ASTS National Office, and the vast majority of the $8 million grant will be used for direct reimbursements to potential and actual living donors. 

The center tells us that they are happy to answer questions, but recipients should know the transplant center files the applications on behalf of the donors and it takes several weeks (they recommend 6-8 weeks) to process, review and fund an application.   

They ask that recipients and donors get the following information:

1. They should contact their transplant center immediately and tell them they want to file an application to NLDAC.
2. Applications are filed by a nurse, social worker, financial coordinator or other transplant professional.
3. Applications should be filed 6-8 weeks before travel or surgery.
4. They cannot pay for travel expenses after they have already occurred.
5. Income verification of the recipient and the donor need to be sent to the transplant center to file an application.
6. The recipient and the donor need to sign NLDAC Attestation Forms provided by their transplant professional.
7. The program is means tested with the donor and recipient income ≤ 300% HHS Poverty Guidelines.

For additional information contact: http://www.livingdonorassistance.org/ National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) 2461 S. Clark Street, Suite 640 Arlington, VA 22202 Phone: 703.414.1600 Fax: 703.414.7874 Email: NLDAC@livingdonorassistance.org

2.         National Patient Travel HELPLINE Program. Patients requiring assistance call: 1-800-296-1217. This program has been in continuous operation since 1991. More than 14,000 calls were received by this HELPLINE during 2006. After an initial screening of patient need and determination of a suitable means of travel, callers are referred to the most appropriate charitable medical air transportation program that can best meet their needs. This is a referral service and there is no cost for the information. This HELPLINE is available 24/7. A growing list of national medical and disease organizations utilize this HELPLINE to assist their constituency with charitable medical air transportation information and referral. 3.         CARE FORCE Bob Jack, (281) 261-6626, PO Box 3816, Humble, TX 77347 - Bob Jack is incredible in getting reduced fares for medical purposes.  He may be able to get free airfare or reduced airfare.  It all depends on the circumstances I guess, and how much time you give him.  If you need an emergency flight for the next day or within a week - he is the person to call!

4.             Delta Sky Wish Program

needs 30 day notice

(877) 327-8211
Fax: (404) 614-1049

5.            ANGEL FLIGHTS

Alternate number: 888-426-2643 , 1-800-352-4256, private pilots fly families in 4 seater airplanes -- they donate their services and might even have transportation for you from the airport to the hotel and pick you up for the flight back as well.  Each pilot donates 300 miles - so you may be switching airplanes many times. We have heard very wonderful things about this group.

6.           MIRACLE FLIGHTS 

Not just for kids anymore. (702) 261-0494 or (800) 359-1711.  Their fax # is (702) 261-0494.   They require 16 days advanced notice of flight requirements. www.miracleflights.org. Great organization getting airfaire for our patients and donors.

7.          CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

Continental dropped their medical necessity program for a while but it is now back again.  Continental Airlines makes special arrangements for families traveling due to medical necessity.  Here are the Continental numbers for you: 1-800-468-7022 Meeting Works Dept.  They have arrangements with certain hospitals.  Your reservations are made at a % off of full coach fares and they hold them until the day of departure. 

8.          MERCY MEDICAL AIRLIFT

1-800-296-1217, P.O. Box 1940, Manassas, VA 22110.   Provides info to referrals for families and patients who need to fly to distant locations for specialized treatment or recovery and after illness or accident.

9.       WINGS OF FREEDOM

 407 363-1991, finds least expensive flights for medical patients

10.          AIR LIFE LINE

1-877-247-5433, www.airlifeline.org

11.          WORLD LIFE FOUNDATION

12. Trio
Through TRIO’s partnership with United Airlines, TRIO/UAL offers frequent flyer mileage tickets to recipients and donors who might not otherwise be financially able to transport themselves to transplant centers for life-saving procedures.Call United Airlines at 1-800-421-4655. These tickets have various restrictions. Information relative to the TRIO/UAL Charity Miles Program can be accessed on www.trioweb.org, under the topic “Resources.” TRIO is deeply appreciative to United Airlines for their continued support of this program. Remember: when possible, FLY UNITED AIRLINES! Thank you for helping others!

 1-800-289-5433 non -emergency travel assistance and pays for treatment for the patient. Takes about six weeks for arrangements to be made.