Living Liver Donation Does not Significantly Affect Long-Term Life, Disability, or Medical Insurability.

Area of Science:

• Transplant Surgery
• Health Economics
• Insurance Medicine

Background:

• Living liver donation is increasing, necessitating an understanding of its financial impacts.
• The effect of liver donation on future insurability remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess living liver donors' post-donation insurance experiences.
• To identify insurance provider factors influencing donor insurability.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 442 living liver donors (2000-2018) completed post-donation insurance surveys.
• Life and disability insurance underwriters provided quotes for a standardized donor profile.

Main Results:

• Donors reported insurance ownership comparable to the general population, with low difficulty obtaining coverage.
• Underwriter data indicated adverse effects on life and disability insurability for up to 12 months post-donation.
• Post-donation life insurance ownership correlated with post-donation employment.

Conclusions:

• Living liver donors generally maintain long-term insurance but face short-term insurability challenges.
• Counseling donors to secure insurance before surgery is advised.
• Collaboration between transplant professionals and insurers is crucial to address donor concerns.