Non-covered Transplant Related Items and Services

140.16 – Non-covered Transplant Related Items and Services (Rev. 13599, Issued: 01-30-26, Effective: 05-01-26, Implementation: 05-01-26) A3-3178.17 Pursuant to 42 CFR § 413.402(d), the following represents some transplant related items and services that are not covered and for which no program payment can be made: (1) Items or services that are not related or reasonable to acquire a kidney for transplantation, non-allowable administrative and general costs, or costs that are not related to patient care, are not considered kidney acquisition costs. (2) Examples of items or services that are not kidney acquisition costs include, but are not limited to the following: • Kidney donor burial and funeral expenses; • Transportation costs of the deceased donor after kidney procurement for funeral services or for burial; • Transportation costs for a living kidney donor (including travel, room, and board expenses incurred by a living donor; • Fees or in-center payments for kidney donor referrals; • Costs associated with and incurred for OPO-sponsored seminars where continuing education credits are given and where the attendee is not on the OPO's staff (as described at § 486.326(b)); • Unreasonable costs incurred for administrator's duties associated with professional organizations; • Travel, room, and board expenses (to any transplant center) incurred by the recipient; and • Reimbursement for the kidney itself when the living donor or the deceased donor’s next of kin sells the kidney.