When the kidneys fail, or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) occurs, a patient normally begins dialysis. Dialysis involves using a machine to perform the kidney’s function of filtering the blood. There are different insurance options available to ESRD patients to help pay for treatment. 

 

Insurance coverage is critical to remaining healthy while on dialysis. As a patient, you should weigh all of your options and choose an insurance plan that will best fit your needs. You are able to enroll in Medicare 3 months after being diagnosed with ESRD or sooner, however, it is not required. You can also elect to keep your private coverage. 

 

Therefore, it is critical that you consider all of the options available to you and how your choice will impact your access to care as well as the potential “out-of-pocket” costs you will have. Below you will find information on the coverage options available to you as an ESRD patient.