Current OPTN/UNOS Policy 5.11 states that the Host OPO is responsible for transportation costs for deceased donor kidneys and any associated shipping costs for tissue typing material sent to crossmatch potential kidney recipients. See policies 5.11.1 and 5.11.3 for exact language. This policy was approved by the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors in November 2009 and implemented in January 2010.
Currently, when the UNOS Organ Center assists members in transporting tissue typing material for crossmatching a potential kidney recipient, it allows the OPO and transplant center involved to agree on who is responsible for the payment.
To standardize these shipments and bring the current practice in line with OPTN/UNOS Policy, beginning March 1, 2011, the UNOS Organ Center will begin to exclusively reference current OPTN/UNOS Policy 5.11 for responsibility for transportation costs. All transportation arrangements made through the UNOS Organ Center for deceased donor kidneys and/or associated tissue typing materials to crossmatch potential kidney recipients will be billed to the Host OPO.
