Point of clarification here. Blood donations for transfusions are all
voluntary and thus no money is given in return for such donations.
Private plasma centers do give money for blood products but these are
processed components that are purified and sterilized if such
components are to be used clinically.
Whole blood is not transfused. All blood is separated into red blood
cells, plasma and or platelets. In addition all red cells are filtered
to eliminate white blood cells and testing to insure removal of white
cells. Some people require additional testing such as CMV serology or
irradiation of blood blood. After all the testing as mentioned the
transportation to the hospitals also incures costs. If it is a stat
order then that would also cost per stat transportation. It is costly
to maintain safety and to have blood available in a timely manner
required.
Some blood banks will give you credit for blood units donated in your
name making them essentially free. Tell people to donate for you or a
family member and recieve free units in the future. Some people want
to wait and receive a specific donor unit that they want to be
transfused. It requires several days and again the cost is deferred
for the unit.
In addition people having elective surgery may donate their own blood
and have it saved for transufsion after they have their surgery.
There are several ways in which one can save money from such
transfusions. Contact your local blood bank or the American Red Cross
depending on the hospital contract with such centers.
Hospital blood banks can not charge for units not transfused and they
have to eat costs for ordering units not transfused. This is typical
for plasma that is thawed and good for only 24 hours or ordering of
platelet concentrates which last only a couple of days but are not
transfused. Those are thrown away and wasted but the hospital eats the
costs.
Medicare pays for units of blood and so the costs is uniform and
reviewed by all insurance carriers.