Liver Transplant Evaluation
Determining if you qualify for a new liver
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Liver Transplant Eligibility Criteria and Making it on the Waiting List
Your doctor may refer you to Lahey Clinic if they think you need a new liver. We commonly get referrals from primary care providers, digestive care specialists (gastroenterologists) and liver care specialists (hepatologists).
During your initial visit, one of our transplant hepatologists will review your condition and case. If we determine you’re a good candidate for a new liver, we contact your insurance company to obtain prior authorization for your care. Our insurance and billing services experts can be helpful during this time. Once we receive insurance approval, a pre-transplant nurse coordinator will contact you with information about your evaluation.
Your Pre-Liver Transplant Evaluation
During the evaluation process, you have consultations with members of our transplant team. Your pre-transplant coordinator will support you through the entire experience.
The process begins with an educational session. We discuss transplant options, including living donor and deceased donor transplantation. We give you an overview of:
- The entire liver transplant experience, including the rest of your pre-transplant evaluation
- Waiting on the liver transplant list
- Your surgery
- Your recovery process
- Expectations for long-term follow-up
Medical Tests Before Liver Transplant
Medical tests are a part of your evaluation. You may need:
- Blood tests
- Heart and lung function tests
- Imaging tests
- Preventive care cancer screenings
While You’re Preparing for Liver Transplant
We want you to be in the best possible health so that your new liver can function well. So you’ll have regular appointments with our transplant team before and after your transplant.
Getting a plan in place for your recovery is important. It should include the caregiver(s) who will support you through the transplant process. A licensed transplant social worker conducts a complete review of your support system.
Our team is here to offer support, as well.
Approval and Getting on the Transplant List
After your tests and evaluation, our liver transplant screening committee meets. They review and discuss your results.
The committee may decide to:
- Add you to the liver transplant list
- Recommend additional testing or monitoring of your current health status
- Determine you are not an appropriate liver transplant candidate
We send a letter to inform you of the committee’s decision within 10 business days of their meeting. The letter includes any recommendations and required follow-up.
