Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024
Funding is available to transplant recipients, donors, and a
single caretaker for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses not covered by
insurance.
(1)
Eligibility
criteria. To be eligible for a grant, an applicant (or the applicant's
legal representative) must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the state of
Iowa or be a living organ donor to a resident of Iowa who:
a. Has undergone a transplant surgery,
or
b. Is in need of dental
clearance in order to be placed on a transplant list as maintained by the
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), or
c. Has been tested as a potential donor and
been rejected.
(2)
Grant application. The department shall make the grant
application form available on the department's Web site. Awards shall be made
on a reimbursement basis to Iowa resident donors and donor recipients. The
total amount of grant funds awarded to an applicant shall be based on the
number of applicants and the availability of funds. Awarded grant funds will be
made payable to the applicant.
(3)
Application process.
a. The
applicant shall complete the application, as provided by the department, in its
entirety and forward the application to the applicant's transplant social
worker for review, comment and approval.
b. The transplant social worker shall review
the information and documentation provided by the applicant and attest to their
accuracy.
c. The completed
application shall be mailed to the address provided on the application.
Applications that are incomplete or illegible shall be returned via U.S. mail
to the applicant or to the attention of transplant social workers for
completion. Original receipts shall be submitted with the
application.
d. Grant application
documentation shall be retained by the applicant and the transplant social
workers for a minimum of five years.
(4)
Eligible expenses. The
department may reimburse applicants for the following expenses. A more
comprehensive list of items eligible for reimbursement is located in the
Guidelines - Category 3 document at
http://idph.iowa.gov/anatomical-gift.
a. Dental expenses required for placement of
the recipient on a transplant list and expenses directly related to the
transplant, to include:
(1) Initial routine
exam.
(2) Complete
cleaning.
(3) Full mouth
X-rays.
(4) Up to $1,500 of
remaining expenses.
b.
Prescription medication (maximum of $2,000).
c. Lodging (rate determined by the
department).
d. Airfare (coach) for
donor and caretaker for a maximum of two people at a rate determined by the
department.
e. Expenses immediately
preceding and immediately following transplant surgery until the recipient and
living organ donor are medically released by the hospital.
f. Disposable, short-term cleaning and daily
life items, such as paper towels, paper plates, tin foil, toilet paper,
etc.
g.
Rehospitalization.
h. Mileage at
current rate of state reimbursement.
i. Child care when both parents undergo
surgery related to a single organ transplant.
(5)
Ineligible expenses. The
department may not reimburse for the following.
a. Lost wages.
b. Alcohol or nonfood items, such as gum,
breath mints, candy, etc.
c.
Delivery fees and charges, Internet access, or garage rental.
d. In-domicile meals, food, or
lodging.
e. Medication not directly
associated with the transplant or medication taken prior to the
transplant.
f. Medication and
supplies available over the counter, such as blood pressure cuffs, gauze,
bandages, scales, support hose, etc.
g. Credit card fees, check processing fees,
and nonrefundable security deposits.
h. Lodging and meals for visitors.
i. Dentures.
j. Nondisposable or long-term cleaning and
daily life expenses, such as vacuum, broom, towels, bedding, etc.
k. Personal items, such as shampoo, lotion,
toothbrush, toothpaste, personal hygiene items, or clothing, etc.
l. Labels, stamps, envelopes, notebooks,
etc.
m. Follow-up visit meals,
lodging, etc.
n. Expenses covered
by primary, secondary, or tertiary insurance.
(6)
Review process.
a. The department shall review grant
applications and supporting documentation on a first-come, first-served
basis.
b. Grant reimbursement
limits and eligibility shall be determined by the department.
c. Grant applications and payments are not
considered public records pursuant to Iowa Code section
22.7(2).
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section
142C.15.
