National Marrow Donor Program



Financial Assistance for Transplant Patients

Many patients find their insurance does not cover all of the costs related to a bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a BMT). If you learn your insurance company does not pay for some of your costs, you may be eligible for assistance offered through The Marrow Foundation® Patient Assistance Program. Funds from this program help patients pay for searching the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry and/or some post-transplant costs.

The Marrow Foundation is the fund-raising partner of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).

Applications for Patient Assistance Program funds must be submitted by an NMDP transplant center. Eligible patients may ask their transplant center coordinator to apply for one or both programs.

On this page:

Search assistance funds

Search Assistance Funds help pay the costs for searching the NMDP Registry of unrelated adult donors and cord blood units. The money is paid directly to the transplant center to begin the donor search process so you can move forward with your transplant as soon as possible.

To be eligible:

  • You must be a U.S. resident.
  • Your treatment plan must include an unrelated donor transplant.
  • Your transplant center must have started a preliminary search for a donor for you on the NMDP Registry.
  • Your transplant must be facilitated by an NMDP transplant center.
  • Your NMDP transplant center coordinator has gone over your insurance with you and determined you do not have coverage to cover the donor search costs.
  • You do not have the financial resources to pay for these costs on your own.
  • Your transplant center coordinator must submit your application to the NMDP.

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Transplant support assistance funds

Transplant Support Assistance Funds help pay for some costs during the first six months after transplant that are not covered by insurance. These funds can be helpful with costs related to:
  • Secondary (temporary) housing, including utility bills if you and your family or caregiver need to relocate
  • Food for you and your family or caregiver
  • Parking or mileage for ground transportation
  • Uncovered post-transplant prescriptions and clinic visits and copays
  • Insurance premiums (to continue your insurance coverage)

To be eligible:

  • You must be a U.S. resident.
  • You must be within six months of your transplant.
  • Your transplant must have been facilitated by an NMDP transplant center.
  • An unrelated donor was found for you through the NMDP Registry.
  • You are still receiving post-transplant treatment from the transplant center.
  • Your NMDP transplant center social worker has gone over your insurance with you and determined you do not have coverage to cover these costs.
  • You do not have the financial resources to pay for these costs on your own.
  • Your NMDP transplant center social worker must submit an application and letter explaining your financial situation.



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Additional Resources

Contact a Case Manager
  • Call toll free in the United States:
    1 (888) 999-6743
  • Outside the United States call:
    1 (612) 627-8140




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 Page last updated: June 2005

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