Six University of Iowa Health Care organ transplant programs have been certified as meeting the new, stricter participation guidelines established by the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS).

The programs are adult kidney, pediatric kidney, adult liver, adult heart, pediatric heart, and adult pancreas. All had met the original CMS participation guidelines established years ago but were required to undergo re-certification to verify that they meet stricter standards.

A seventh newer program—adult lung transplant—also was certified as meeting the upgraded guidelines. This means that Medicare-eligible patients can now be seen at the UI lung Transplant Center, and Medicare will cover a lung transplant evaluation.

All seven programs are part of the UI Organ Transplant Center, which has been revitalized under new leadership and a stronger organizational structure.