Multinational Medical & Transplant Services

As part of the Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, Multinational Medical and Transplant Services coordinates clinical services for international patients as well as those from outside the immediate area. All international families seeking care at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC should begin by contacting this office. The information will then be forwarded to the appropriate physician for review.

The Multinational Medical and Transplant Services office also serves as Children’s Hospital’s liaison with the Center for International Patient Relations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Through this collaboration, Children’s arranges for interpreters for international families, who can translate during office visits and inpatient stays and assist with hospital admission and financial issues. Staff also can help families find cultural services, such as arranging for cultural and religious dietary needs, and act as a liaison to appropriate ethnic communities in the Pittsburgh area.

Referral Requirements

All international referrals should begin by contacting the Multinational Medical and Transplant Services office at the contact number listed. Required materials are:

• An up-to-date medical record, preferably translated into English
• Any applicable films and test results
• A letter of explanation regarding the goals of the family in terms of the child’s treatment outcomes

Children’s physicians will carefully review medical histories to determine the best course of treatment and whether it will benefit a child and his or her family to travel to Pittsburgh to receive this treatment. We will make every effort to respond promptly regarding the physician’s medical opinion, including the estimated length of time a family would expect to spend in Pittsburgh.

After Children’s physicians have reviewed a patient’s medical history, an estimate of charges will be provided. The hospital requires a deposit based on those charges prior to any international visit. For U.S. patients, every effort will be made to obtain authorization from the family’s insurance company or other sponsor. Families of international patients must obtain all visas. Children’s cannot be a sponsor. Children’s Finance Department will help arrange for deposits and handle all financial issues before, during and after a family’s stay. Providing information up-front regarding financial sponsorship will facilitate this process.