VCA programs to reapply to OPTN ahead of upcoming changes to Bylaws and Policy

Published on: Tuesday, September 1, 2020

New criteria have been approved in the Organ and Procurement Transplantation Network Bylaws. These changes align vascular composite allograft (VCA) program membership requirements with those of other solid organ programs. Upon implementation, VCA programs will be classified according to an approved policy change listing covered body parts pertaining to VCA.

Read the combined policy notice for list of covered body parts and details on all changes.

The application release date is being finalized and will be announced to the community in the next week. At that time, all key personnel at VCA transplant programs in the U.S. will be required to reapply to the OPTN within a 120-day submission period. All current, OPTN-approved VCA transplant programs will be sent information about the submission period along with new application forms and details about how to reapply to the OPTN.

Transplant hospitals wishing to establish a new VCA program will also need to use the new application form to apply.

Once applications are sent to members, current OPTN-approved VCA transplant programs will need to submit a completed application to reapply or indicate their desire to “opt out” within 120 days.

Transplant hospitals who have more than one VCA program will need to complete a separate application for each of the body part categories they wish to perform.

For additional questions, please email MembershipRequests@unos.org.