Once the patient has been through the Liver Transplant Evaluation Session process and the Team has agreed that the patient would benefit from a liver transplant, the waiting process begins.

The patient and referring physician are sent a letter formally confirming that the patient has been placed on the liver transplant waiting list which Jefferson maintains with the  United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

UNOS is the nonprofit organization that is charged with fairly administering the nation’s organ transplant waiting list. Its computers match patients and organs according to objective criteria. For liver transplants,  MELD score is used to prioritize patients according to medical need.

While the patient is awaiting a liver transplant, care for the patient's liver disease will continue under the care of one of Jefferson's hepatologists in collaboration with the liver transplant team and the patient's referring physician. Ongoing evaluation is important to manage the physical effects of chronic liver disease and to keep the patient ready for the upcoming liver transplant.