What insurance options cover dialysis and kidney transplant?
Understand your insurance options when it comes to dialysis and coverage for transplants.
Health insurance coverage may feel overwhelming if you’re just starting dialysis. Your care team is here to support you and answer your questions.
Before starting treatment
Before you begin dialysis, it’s important to understand your insurance coverage. Helpful resources to answer your questions and help you understand benefits include:
- Your care team including your social worker
- Your insurance provider
- Social Security office
- Your employer’s human resources department
Insurance coverage options
Several types of insurance cover dialysis treatments, including:
- Medicare (If you are under 65 and receiving dialysis treatments, you are also eligible for Medicare.)
- Medicaid
- Employer Group Health Plans
- Commercial insurance plans
You may have to pay some costs like premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. However, some dialysis companies can help you with these costs if you need it. You also may be eligible for additional insurance coverage and help paying for your insurance premiums.
Kidney transplant insurance coverage
Most insurance companies will cover transplants. Depending on your location and desire to list in multiple centers, you may need to contact your insurance provider to understand coverage. If you were not previously on Medicare, you will be eligible for Medicare the month that you are admitted to a Medicare-certified hospital to receive a transplant. The benefits coordinator at the transplant center can help answer your questions.
Key takeaways
- Your care team, insurance provider, Social Security office, and employer's HR department can all help answer your insurance questions before you start treatment.
- Medicare, Medicaid, Employer Group Health Plans, and commercial insurance plans all cover dialysis treatments. If you're under 65 and receiving dialysis, you're eligible for Medicare.
- Most insurance companies cover kidney transplant, and the transplant center's benefits coordinator can help answer your questions.
We are here to help
Your care team can help answer your insurance questions. Reach out for any support you need.
This serves only as a guide. Talk with your healthcare provider for more information based on your health needs.
Julie Dominguez, MD
Vice President, Medical Office, Interwell Health
Julie Dominguez, MD, is a nephrologist with extensive experience in private practice nephrology and medical education. At Interwell Health, she helps advance high-quality kidney care programs that support patients and clinicians. Dr. Dominguez earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, completed her Internal Medicine residency at Duke University, and completed her Nephrology fellowship at the University of California San Diego.