Kidney Referral Criteria & Process

Ensure your kidney patient gets the best possible care at University Health Transplant Institute by following the transplant evaluation's referral criteria.

Patient Referral Criteria

Your patient must meet the referral criteria before you refer them for a kidney transplant evaluation. The criteria include:

• On dialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or a diagnosis of chronic renal failure with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 20 ml/min.
• Medically compliant and capable of following a complex post-operative regimen
• Body mass index (BMI) of less than 40 – Adult BMI calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Insurance coverage – Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance

Living-Donor Transplant Criteria

If your patient will have a living-donor transplant, they do not need to be on dialysis but must meet the rest of the patient criteria.

Three-Step Referral Process

When your patient meets all the referral criteria, follow our three-step referral process for adult kidney transplantation and living kidney donor transplantation:

• Complete the online Kidney Transplant Referral Form OR
  Download and print the Kidney Transplant Referral Form [PDF, 117 KB] OR
  Pediatric Kidney Transplant Referral Form [PDF, 113 KB]
  
  Submit the completed referral form and a copy of the patient’s insurance card (front and back) to University Health Transplant Institute using one of the following methods:

Referral fax: 210-358-0408
Mail to:
4502 Medical Drive, MS 18
San Antonio, TX 78229
Referral phone: 210-567-5777 or 1-888-336-9633

• Download and print the Kidney Referral Patient Information Cover Sheet & Checklist [PDF, 35 KB].
  
  Complete the cover sheet and include all patient information on the checklist. Submit the information to University Health Transplant Institute by fax or mail.

• Within 48 hours of receiving your patient referral, we will contact your office by phone and email to:
  • Confirm receipt of your referral
  • Confirm receipt of all patient information
  • Notify you and your patient of the initial evaluation date
  • Answer your questions and provide support

Advanced Kidney Treatments

Rely on superior kidney care and treatments at University Health for conditions that may prevent transplantation. Call 210-567-5777 or 1-888-336-9633 to talk to one of our transplant physicians or coordinators for more information.