Key facts
- Typical cost: Living donor transplant ₹18–29 lakh; deceased donor ₹24–35 lakh; medicines about ₹1–2 lakh a year after transplant.
- What changes the cost: How sick the patient is at admission (MELD score); Need for an ABO-incompatible protocol; Length of ICU stay and any complications.
- Living vs deceased donor: A living donor transplant can be scheduled once evaluation is complete.
- Insurance and financial help: Many private insurers cover part of the cost; pre-authorisation takes a few days.
- Cost by type of transplant: The type of transplant has the largest effect on the total.
- How the MELD score affects cost: MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) is a score from 6 to 40 calculated from bilirubin, creatinine and INR.
On this page
Cost at a glance
| Transplant | Typical cost (₹ lakh) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Living donor transplant (LDLT) | 18–29 | Evaluation, both operations, ICU and ward stay for recipient and donor |
| Deceased donor transplant (DDLT) | 24–35 | Recipient operation and stay; timing depends on the state waiting list |
| Split liver transplant | 24–33 | One deceased-donor liver shared between an adult and a child |
| Medicines and follow-up after transplant | 1–2 per year | Anti-rejection medicines and tests; highest in the first year |
Figures are indicative for Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension, as of September 2026. Your package is confirmed in writing after evaluation.
What changes the cost
- How sick the patient is at admission (MELD score)
- Need for an ABO-incompatible protocol
- Length of ICU stay and any complications
- Room category and length of stay
- Donor-related tests if the first donor is unsuitable
Living vs deceased donor
A living donor transplant can be scheduled once evaluation is complete. A deceased donor transplant depends on the state waiting list and cannot be planned in advance. Read the living donor guide.
Insurance and financial help
Many private insurers cover part of the cost; pre-authorisation takes a few days. Government schemes such as PM-JAY and state schemes, and charitable trusts, may help eligible patients. Our coordinator prepares the paperwork.
Cost by type of transplant
The type of transplant has the largest effect on the total. A living donor transplant is planned in advance and includes the donor’s evaluation, operation and stay. A deceased donor transplant depends on when a liver becomes available, and recipients are often sicker when they reach the top of the list.
How the MELD score affects cost
MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) is a score from 6 to 40 calculated from bilirubin, creatinine and INR. It predicts how sick a patient is without a transplant. A higher MELD usually means a longer ICU stay, more blood products and sometimes dialysis, so the total cost rises with it, whatever the type of donor.
Costs that are often left out
Hospital estimates cover the hospital stay. When you plan the family budget, also include:
- Tests done before you reach the transplant centre
- Accommodation for the caregiver near the hospital during follow-up visits (usually the first 2–3 months)
- Income the living donor loses during 4–6 weeks of recovery
- Treating a complication if the patient is readmitted after discharge
- Lifelong anti-rejection medicines and blood tests
Why India costs less than other countries
A liver transplant in India costs a fraction of the price in the United States, the UK or the Gulf, with comparable published survival at experienced centres. Lower staff and hospital costs, high transplant volumes and a strong living donor programme keep prices down. This is why patients from more than 25 countries come to AASLT. See packages in US dollars.
Government schemes and financial help
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals
- CGHS and ECHS: for eligible central government employees and ex-servicemen
- State schemes and the Prime Minister’s and Chief Minister’s relief funds
- Charitable trusts and crowdfunding: our social worker can guide you
Ask our coordinator which scheme applies to you. The paperwork is prepared before admission so that treatment is not delayed.
Where the money goes
| Cost component | What it covers | Approx. share |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery and theatre | Surgical team, operating theatre, anaesthesia, consumables | 35–45% |
| ICU and hospital stay | Transplant ICU, high-dependency and ward days | 20–30% |
| Pre-transplant work-up | Blood tests, CT/MRI/Doppler, donor evaluation, heart and lung checks | 8–12% |
| Medicines during admission | Immunosuppressants, antibiotics, blood products | 10–15% |
| Donor surgery (living donor only) | Donor’s operation, stay and monitoring | 10–15% more |
| Follow-up in the first 90 days | Clinic visits, tests, early treatment of complications | 5–8% |
Surgery and ICU care make up most of the bill, so the biggest single factor is how long a patient needs intensive care, which depends on how sick they are before the operation.
Factors that move the price
- MELD score and condition at the time of surgery
- Hospital accreditation and transplant ICU facilities
- Underlying diagnosis: liver cancer or active infection add work-up and care
- Room category over a 2–3 week stay
- Complications such as bile leak, clots or rejection, which can add ₹3–8 lakh
- Robotic or complex surgery: typically ₹28–40 lakh
How to evaluate a cost quote
- Ask for an itemised quote, not a single figure
- Ask what happens to the price if the ICU stay is longer than planned
- Check whether the donor’s evaluation, operation and stay are included
- Ask for realistic first-year and yearly medicine costs
- Ask how many transplants of your type the team performs each year
Cost by city
Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru host most of India’s high-volume transplant programmes. Prices vary more with the hospital and team than with the city, and a programme’s experience is one of the best predictors of good results. See cost in Delhi NCR.
Frequently asked questions
Is the package price fixed?
Yes. After evaluation you receive a written package with inclusions and exclusions, with no hidden fees.
Does the price include the donor operation?
Yes, living donor packages include both operations and the donor’s stay.
How much do medicines cost after discharge?
Anti-rejection medicines and follow-up tests typically cost ₹1–2 lakh a year, highest in the first year and lower once doses settle.
What is the average cost of a liver transplant in India?
Usually ₹18–35 lakh (about US$22,000–35,000). The figure depends mainly on the type of donor, the patient’s condition and MELD score, and the hospital.
Is a living donor transplant cheaper than a deceased donor transplant?
Usually yes. A living donor transplant typically costs ₹18–29 lakh and a deceased donor transplant ₹24–35 lakh, partly because patients who receive deceased donor livers tend to be sicker and need more intensive care.
What is a MELD score and how does it affect cost?
MELD is a score from 6 to 40 based on bilirubin, creatinine and INR. A higher score means a sicker patient, which usually means a longer ICU stay and a higher total cost.
Does health insurance cover liver transplant surgery in India?
Most insurers regulated by IRDAI cover a transplant up to the sum insured, but whether the donor’s costs are covered varies by policy. Ayushman Bharat (up to ₹5 lakh per family per year) and CGHS can help eligible patients at empanelled hospitals.
What ongoing costs should I expect after a liver transplant?
Anti-rejection medicines and follow-up tests typically cost ₹1–2 lakh a year. Costs are highest in the first year and fall as doses settle.
How can I get an exact estimate?
Send your latest reports on WhatsApp. After the first review, our coordinator explains the likely package, and you receive a written estimate after evaluation.
What is the success rate of liver transplant in India?
Experienced Indian centres report about 85–90% one-year and 70–75% five-year survival. AASLT reports a 95% success rate. See success rate.
What costs are often left out of hospital estimates?
The living donor’s lost income during 4–6 weeks of recovery, accommodation for the caregiver during follow-up, tests done before referral, and readmission for a complication.
Group Director – Liver Transplant, HPB, GI & Robotic Surgery, Yatharth Group of Hospitals. 18+ years in liver transplantation.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Speak to the transplant team for a personal assessment.
