Autologous Blood Donation

Hi,

I am getting frustrated. My doctor and I have decided that it is ok for me to have blood collected from myself that can be transfused if needed during surgery (autologous blood donation). The doctor filled out a form and told me to go to the blood bank. The blood bank told me that I had the wrong form (directed blood donation vs autologous blood donation form), they are faxing the correct form to the doctor.

On the blood bank's own (lame) pamphlet, it states there MAY be a charge for autologous donations. When I asked the blood bank what the charge would be, I was told that the pamphlet must be old, and the doctor's office should have purged that pamphlet. I got the pamphlet from a donor location for the same blood bank so it couldn't be the doctor's fault as they were implying. Then I was told that THEY didn't charge a fee, but the hospital MAY charge a fee.

I called the hospital, at the phone number for "Patient Out of Pocket Expenses". They apparently do not answer their phone, but accept voice mails. I left a message, no response.

I called again this morning (three business days later). Got voicemail again. Left another message. No response.

I went to the business office of the hospital. At first, the clerk referred me back to my doctor, but when I asked why the doctor would know what the HOSPITAL would charge, she decided to call the hospital's blood bank. But the hospital's blood bank only does the work with the blood, they don't know what the hospital charges for their services. Or even the name of the charges that might apply.

I called the insurance company. They said that IF there were charges associated with the autologous donations, that they would not pay those charges.

Why is this so hard? They seem to be making this hard so I won't do it.
- The doctor doesn't know how this process works.
- The blood bank say it is the doc's responsibility to educate the patient, they are just the vampires.
- I think the blood bank should educate the doctors, but they have no written material to do that.
- The hospital has no idea what they charge for anything because they use barcodes to scan the item into the computer and without a barcode they don't know what they charge.

Has anyone done autologous blood donations before and can guide me? I have the sinking feeling that they are going to stall and give excuses until it is too late. I know that it is unlikely that I will need blood, but **** happens and there is a blood shortage right now, and when the blood supply is low, they import from foreign countries. I have less faith in the governments of other countries to provide the supervision to keep the blood supply safe.

How much was the charge per unit? If I get several responses, then at least then I will have a ball park figure to help me determine if I want to bear this out of pocket expense.

Thanks in advance.

I've done autologous blood donations for all my surgeries. I never needed to use the blood until my hyster, when I got my two units back the morning after surgery. I was sure glad it was there!

It does vary, but the basic rule of thumb where I live has been that a)insurance does NOT cover it b) the doctor can order it but the blood bank coordinates it with the hospital and c) it's a really good idea! As long as you are not anemic, why not be on the safe side!

I think it cost me $125 per unit this time...did two units, one week apart. Be sure to check with the blood bank on the timing...it needs to be done a certain time before the surgery and a certain time in between units.

Don't get frustrated. Just figure it's a little emergency gift you are giving yourself...and if it turns out to be covered, all the better. But don't count on it. What's considered elective or friviolous escapes me....I had to pay for my infertility treatments, but Viagra is covered. Go figure that one out!!!

Hang in there!!

Karen