Kidney Dialysis and Transplant Covered by Medicare?

If I am on kidney dialysis and need a transplant, will Medicare pay for my treatment and surgery? The answer to your question is yes, no, yes, no.

• Yes, Medicare pays for kidney dialysis
• No, Medicare may not pay for dialysis immediately
• Yes, Medicare will pay for your transplant
• No, they will not pay for your anti-rejection medication forever

Medicare does pay for kidney dialysis, but there is a catch . . . or two.

According to the Medicare booklet on Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant “When you enroll in Medicare based on ESRD and you’re on dialysis, Medicare starts on the first day of your 4th month of your dialysis treatment”.

Dialysis treatment is very expensive, but Medicare expects you to pay for the treatment out of pocket.

There are exceptions to the 3 month rule.

If you take an in home kidney dialysis course and your doctor expects you to complete the course and conduct your on in home dialysis, Medicare may pay for your treatment beginning in the first month.

If you are approved for a kidney transplant Medicare may pay for the cost of your transplant surgery, but it will not pay for your preoperative procedures.

Once your transplant is complete you will need to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of your life.

Medicare will pay for anti-rejection drugs . . . but only for 3 years. After that time you will need to qualify for a new transplant or find another way to pay for your medication.

Apparently Medicare expects you to get better or die within 3 years. Catch 22.

And here is one more catch in the process.

If you are on Medicare and have ESRD you cannot qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you apply on a timely basis you can purchase a Medicare supplement plan to pay for some or all of your Medicare approved Part A and B charges. Shop and compare Medigap plans here.

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