MIAMI, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackson Memorial Hospital announced that it has received approval from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Medicare-approved center for lung transplantation. Medicare certification means that Jackson’s transplant program meets volume, survival outcomes and program standards that are required by CMS.
Jackson now has the only Medicare-approved lung transplant program in South and Central Florida. It joins an exclusive group of only 47 centers across the United States that are Medicare-approved for this type of transplant. This positions Jackson as a center of excellence for transplant candidates from all over Florida and the United States, as well as other parts of the world such as Latin America.
“Receiving Medicare approval means that our program meets the highest standards of treatment, care and health outcomes for our transplant patients,” explained Si Pham, M.D., professor of surgery and director, Heart/Lung Transplant and Artificial Heart Programs, and director, Heart/Lung Transplantation Program. “This is particularly good news for lung transplant candidates from South Florida who will no longer have to travel far from home for an extended period of time, placing a heavy burden on themselves and their families.”
Based on the volume of transplant surgeries, Jackson’s transplant center is ranked among the 10 busiest in the nation, and is the only Florida hospital to perform every kind of organ transplant (according to the United Network for Organ Sharing {UNOS}). The Lung Transplant program at JMH began in 1995, and its first transplant patient is still alive today.
To receive Medicare approval, a transplant center must submit to CMS an application detailing the members of the lung transplant team, the vital infrastructures that are needed to support the lung transplant program, the volume of lung transplants, and the survival rate of lung transplant recipients at Jackson Memorial Hospital. CMS then consults with third-party experts outside of the government to determine if the center meets all the criteria set out by CMS. It is a vigorous process to assure the program has what it needs to provide a very complex medical service.
Jackson will now be able to secure additional managed care contracts as a result of being “Medicare Approved,” which is a standard requirement by insurance companies for transplant programs.
“The Medicare approval is particularly important from a financial standpoint for patients and the hospital,” said Debra Fertel, M.D., Medical Director, Lung Transplant and Pulmonary Hypertension Programs at Jackson. “Before a patient can enter the organ waiting list, they must receive financial clearance from their insurance company or Medicare. The longer a patient needs to wait for a transplant, the sicker he or she will become. Medicare approval removes that financial barrier and gets patients onto the waiting list sooner.”
According to Dr. Pham, there are more than 40 patients awaiting lung transplants at Jackson. Some of these patients’ stories illustrate the long road these individuals often take to receive a transplant (please see “Patient Stories”).
According to the American Lung Association, approximately 4,000 people in the United States are waiting for lung transplants. Lung transplants are needed when the lungs are damaged and unable to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the cells. Damaged lungs can cause fatigue and shortness of breath. Over time, the lack of oxygen and build-up of carbon dioxide in the body may lead to organ damage and premature death.
The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center (UM/Jackson) ranks among the top U.S. medical centers for total solid organ transplantation. Our teams perform over 400 life-saving adult and pediatric transplants each year, including many international patients.
The UM/Jackson Transplant Center welcomes all patients needing transplants, regardless of the severity or complexity of an individual’s condition. We offer excellent care from a multidisciplinary team, state-of- the-art treatments, the latest immunosuppressive therapies, and all the resources of South Florida’s largest academic medical center. Support from our transplant team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The UM/Jackson Transplant Center is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the central U.S. agency responsible for equitable allocation of organs. This affiliation offers UM/JMMC patients the best opportunities to receive new organs, and enjoy a longer and better quality of life.
Lung Transplant Patient Stories
According to the American Lung Association, there are approximately 4,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a lung transplant. The average waiting time for a lung transplant patient is between 12 and 24 months. There are currently more than 40 patients on the waiting list at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. Some of these patient stories illustrate the often long road these individuals must take to receive a transplant.
Pre-transplant patients:
* Roberto Hernandez: Born in Cuba and living in the U.S. since 1959, Roberto Hernandez received his Ph.D. at the University of Miami in History (Latin American Studies). He has been a professor at Miami-Dade College for 30 years.
Three years ago he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease from which both his mother and cousin died. After climbing a short flight of stairs, a friend noticed that Roberto was breathing very hard. Roberto went to his doctor, who referred him to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was diagnosed with early stage pulmonary fibrosis. He was initially treated with medication (gamma interferon) and was doing well until this past January. He is now in critical condition and on the waiting list for a new lung.
His managed care company was covering the medical treatment but was reluctant to cover the cost of a lung transplant. The recent Medicare approval has eliminated this problem, and the cost of the transplant will be covered by the managed care company.
* Maureen Diericks: Born in Brooklyn, New York, and living in Miami for 20 years, Maureen Diericks is a mother of three.
After her last child was born, Maureen started to get sick. A year ago she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. In December of 2003 Maureen’s lungs collapsed and last month she was placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant. Her children, ages 14, 12 and 5, understand that she is sick and don’t ask for too much of her. She knows it’s hard for the kids who like to play outside, but they understand that being outdoors is very difficult for her.
Although she has medical coverage, she is not sure to what extent they are willing to pay for the lung transplant. She is thankful for the recent Medicare approval status as her coverage is more likely to cover all costs. Maureen has confidence in the transplant team at Jackson Memorial Hospital and remains optimistic about her outcome.
Post-transplant patients
* Susana Garcia: Born in Queens, New York, Susana Garcia has lived in Miami for most her life. She received her M.S. in Education from NOVA Southeastern University and her Education Specialist degree from Barry University. She was a Miami-Dade County public school teacher for 10 years.
Susana was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and was dependent on oxygen 24 hours a day. She was on the waiting list for 13 months before her double lung transplant at Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1999.
Susana participates every year in the Jackson/American Heart Association walk-a-thon. She goes to the gym, rides on her bicycle and takes ski trips to remain active. She lives life to its fullest by doing the things she couldn’t do before the transplant.
* Jeffrey Lonstein: Born in Johannesberg, South Africa, and living in the U.S. since 1990, Jeffrey Lonstein was an electrical engineer with his own business in Miami Beach.
For many years his health had been deteriorating and he had visited multiple hospitals; he finally went to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was diagnosed with end-stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In 2001 he was put on the lung transplant waiting list but had only weeks to live. A few weeks later a donor became available and he underwent a lung transplant.
After the transplant Jeffrey changed his life completely; he now runs a wine-importing business and exercises regularly. At the age of 61, he feels like he’s 45. He is able to do things he hasn’t been able to do in 20 years.
EDITORS’ ADVISORY: Dr. Pham, Dr. Fertel or lung transplant patient areall available for interviews
Jackson Memorial Hospital
CONTACT: Maria Rosa Gonzalez-Carrero, of Jackson Memorial Hospital,+1-305-585-7213, or Favila Paulos-Budyszewick or Steven Schwadron or PraxedesArias, +1-305-520-2000, all of Fleishman-Hillard, for Jackson MemorialHospital
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