How long is the wait for kidney transplant in Texas?

Kidney transplant wait times within Texas differ because transplant centers operate independently and accumulate waiting lists at different rates over time. Newer programs typically build smaller waiting lists and may move patients more quickly, while long-established centers often carry larger backlogs that result in longer median waits. As a result, patients listed at different hospitals in the same state can experience very different timelines to transplant.

For example, Medical City Fort Worth tends to show shorter kidney transplant wait times compared to many other programs in Texas, reflecting a smaller accumulated waiting list and higher recent transplant activity. In contrast, North Austin Medical Center historically carries a larger waiting list, which is associated with longer median wait times despite serving patients from the same donor region.

We’re often asked whether a private jet is necessary to travel from Texas to an out-of-state transplant center. In most cases, it isn’t. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, with frequent nonstop flights to major destinations nationwide. For patients located in South Texas, arranging private air transport can serve as a practical backup option when commercial flight availability is limited.

James from Corpus Christi, faced a 7-10 year wait in South of Texas in 2015. He wrote:

I called over 10 private jet companies and negotiated with them. I needed to go to Des Moines for life-saving transplant on a short notice. The private jet company I hired, flew me on private jet flight to Des Moines in a few hours after the call. They did not bill me. My Medical Insurance covered it fully. James, successfull transplant receipient, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 2015.