B lood D onor B enefit P rogram It works like an insurance plan

What is the Blood Donor Benefit Program? ›One way that LifeSouth gives back to our donors and donor groups. ›LifeSouth helps defray the cost of receiving blood for patients covered under our plan.

How does it work? ›When a patient covered by our plan receives a transfusion, LifeSouth pays for the non-insured portion of the “processing fee” charged to the patient for all units of blood components. ›This coverage extends to transfusions at any hospital in the United States. ›This plan also covers a LifeSouth donor who receives a transfusion at a non-LifeSouth hospital.

How does it work? ›This plan does not cover hospital- generated charges, only the processing fee is covered by LifeSouth. ›Most insurance companies pay a percentage of blood processing fees. ›LifeSouth will cover the rest of the cost for patients covered under our plan. ›If a person covered under the benefit program does not have insurance, LifeSouth will reimburse the entire cost of the processing fee.

Who is covered after the first donation? ›After one donation: ›The donor is covered for all non-insured portions of the processing fee for all blood used during the following 12 months, regardless of how many units the donor needs. ›This donation also helps the donor group reach the pre- established goal for the year.

Who is covered after a second donation? ›The second donation within a 12-month period: ›Covers the donor’s income-tax dependent family members for all non-insured portions of the processing fee for blood used during the following 12 months, regardless of how many units are needed.

What is the length of coverage? ›Each time a donor gives blood, coverage is extended another 12 months. ›As long as a donor gives at least once a year, they will be continuously covered under our program.

What are the guidelines for Blood Donor Group coverage? ›Benefits of Blood Donor Groups under LifeSouth’s plan make it possible for a group to cover individuals who are unable to give blood. ›When 50 percent of a group gives blood over a 12-month period, LifeSouth covers the non-insured portions of the blood processing fee for all blood used by every member of the group.

Are family members of a Blood Donor Group covered by the group’s plan? ›Only members of the Blood Donor Group are covered by the group’s plan.

How can I help family or friends who are not covered? ›Make a “Gift Donation” ›A blood donor’s third donation in a 12- month period can be made in the name of someone who is unable to donate blood. ›The Gift Donation must be made 30 days before any blood needs occur and does not cover pre-existing conditions. ›Special drives can be arranged to benefit patients who have needed or will need blood transfusions.

What is a “replacement fee?” ›In the past, there were no community blood banks supplying blood to hospitals. ›Patients who needed transfusions had to recruit their own donors. ›Patients would arrange for donors to give before the patient needed the transfusion. ›If this was not possible, patients were expected to have donors give blood to replace what the patients had received. ›If the patient did not recruit enough donors to replace what they had used, the patient was charged a “non-replacement fee.”

“Replacement fees” continued ›People who were regular blood donors were give “credits” for the blood they donated. ›Then, if they ever needed blood, these credits were applied to their non- replacement fee, but not to the processing fees charged for their blood use.

“Replacement fees” continued ›Few blood banks today depend on patients to recruit their own donors. ›Some blood banks and hospitals still charge non-replacement fees. ›LifeSouth does not. ›If a person covered under our donor benefit program is charged a non- replacement fee by a hospital or another blood bank, LifeSouth will cover that charge up to the amount of times that person has donated blood.

How do I collect benefits? ›Individuals or group members can contact the Donor Club Chairperson or your nearest LifeSouth center. ›LifeSouth will confirm that the patient is covered under the program, and receive an itemized copy of the hospital and insurance documents. ›LifeSouth will then reimburse the patient for the non-insured portions of the blood processing fees.

Blood Donor Benefit Program ›LifeSouth is one of the only blood centers in the country with a written guarantee for it’s donors. ›For more information on the Blood Donor Benefit Program, please contact your local LifeSouth region.