Renal Support Network

If you need a kidney transplant, Medicare will pay the full cost of care for your kidney donor. The recipient’s insurance typically covers all medical services related to your organ donation. You pay nothing for Medicare-approved laboratory tests. In most cases, the hospital gets blood from a blood bank at no charge, and you won’t have to pay for it or replace it.

A transplant is considered successful if it lasts for 36 months without rejection. If your transplant was successful, your Medicare coverage will end 36 months after the month of the transplant.

If you’re only eligible for Medicare because of ESRD, your Medicare coverage will end 36 months after the month of the transplant. You pay: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Understanding Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans

Understanding Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans with Kathy Lester, JD, MPH is an RSN Hope Week presentation. In this video, Kathy presents an overview of what Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans are and what people who have kidney disease or are seeking a kidney transplant should consider when choosing one over the other for coverage.

Navigating Insurance & Medications

Navigating Insurance & Medications by Cheryl Thomas & Sasha Couch is a Renal Support Network Hope Week Presentation. Cher and Sasha, both kidney transplant recipients have been through the healthcare coverage process for entire journey with kidney disease. In this video they share insurance information from dialysis through transplant and beyond.

Paying for Dialysis or Transplant 

Beth Witten, LCSW is an expert in insurance issues. She shares with Lori the basics of Medicare, what is covered and how to save money on drug prescriptions. Listen in to hear answers the most common questions people who have kidney disease have about navigating the complicated process.

Understanding Insurance Options

Finding the right insurance is an overwhelming and confusing task as it is; when you have kidney disease, it is even more complicated. Kelli Collins, MSW, explains how to minimize out-of-pocket fees while maximizing your options, using all the resources and programs available to you.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans: How Do I Decide?

Those with Medicare due to a diagnosis of ESRD will become eligible to enroll in MA plans beginning January 1, 2021. Congress had previously excluded people with ESRD because of concerns about inadequate provider network coverage. Learn about what is new as of this change. in 2021.

H.R.5534
It passed – So Now What?!

The Kidney Community was thrilled by the passing of H.R.5534 – the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 in December of 2020. Passage of this Act is a big win needed to support transplanted people living with kidney disease. Learn what is covered and when it starts.

Medicare or Other Health Plans for People who have Kidney Disease

Most people with Medicare are at least 65 or disabled. Younger people may get it if they are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant. This article describes how and when you can get and lose Medicare, what it covers, and what it costs. It also describes other health plan options.