Implementation date
Sept. 28, 2023
At-a-glance
Upcoming changes to OPTN Policy 9.9 will expand the simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) allocation required share from 250 nautical miles to 500 nautical miles for eligible adult candidates (e.g., Status 1A or MELD of 29 or greater) beginning Sept. 28.
This will only impact adult candidates; and medical eligibility diagnosis requirements for simultaneous liver-kidney transplant candidates will not change.
This policy will not impact pediatric simultaneous liver-kidney patients, who do not fall under any nautical mile allocation threshold.
What you need to do
OPOs will now see “RQ” for required share displayed in match classifications up to 500 nautical miles and should offer kidneys along with the liver accordingly.
Transplant centers do not need to take any action on behalf of their patients. Eligible SLK candidates within the new 500 nautical mile threshold will now display as a required share (“RQ”) on the liver match run when they are listed as Status 1A or have a MELD of 29 or greater.
Education and resources
Educational offerings are available in UNOS Connect, the OPTN’s learning management system. The course numbers and titles are:
- ORG100: Allocation of Multi-Organ Combinations
- LIV103: Simultaneous Liver Kidney Allocation Policy
