Hi scifi! I work in medical insurance and I used to work in a product that individually underwrote...so I paid a lot of attention to high cost care and dx. Then add me having CD, I was really intrigued to investigate intestinal transplants.
The only claims I have seen were for extremely young children with more than a CD dx. I must say the outcomes (on the notably limited number I saw) were not good. The infection issues were the most common. The costs were in the million range. I did specialize in OT insurance for a short time...never had a claim then, but the projections were not positive. Also the number of facilities was very limited....and I would have narrowed the choices further based on the limited "experience" at some of the facilities.
I attended a seminar a year ago and during the Q&A, I asked what the expert docs in the room thought of the future of intestinal transplants and their efficacy. They unanimously wanted to not get too deep into the subject. Not out of avoidance, but they stated that it would help such a limited number of CD patients. They mentioned that it was only being considered for those with extreme short bowel syndrome (which lines up with your note). They also expressed concern that the risks outweighed the benefits for most. Considered it a very desparate last attempt.
Hope that gives you a little more information.