What Grants for Dialysis Patients Are Available?
This article explicitly covers medical grants for dialysis patients. We have a separate piece for housing grants available for dialysis patients.
Medical grants for dialysis patients cover the expensive costs of services and medicines, helping people with kidney failure.
Chronic kidney disease affects over 37 million Americans, making it a significant public health issue in the United States.
Patients with final-stage renal disease either need a kidney transplant or dialysis to live, which is quite expensive.
Medical Grants for Dialysis Patients – Paying for Care
Dialysis is a treatment that is needed when kidneys can no longer take care of the body’s needs.
While many people with kidney failure may need financial assistance for dialysis, Medicare coverage is available for all individuals with end-stage renal disease, regardless of age.
Grants for dialysis patients are also available from other sources, such as joint federal-state programs, private organizations, private health insurance, and medication assistance programs.
Kidney failure treatment through dialysis is costly, but there are many ways to get help to pay for your treatment.
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Federal Grants for Dialysis Patients
Kidney failure treatment is expensive and tied to federal expenditures through the Medicare entitlement program. Nearly all patients with end-stage renal disease are eligible for and receive the cost of dialysis under Medicare coverage.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers health care costs. It is eligible for people who are:
- Age 65 or older
- Underage 65 with specific disabilities and have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for two years.
- Of any age with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that can be treated with dialysis.
How to Get Medicare for Dialysis?
Visit Medicare.gov and search for “I have an end-stage renal disease.” You would be able to find information about whether you qualify for Medicare. Further instructions on how to sign up will be given.
What Plans Does Medicare Offer?
Medicare has two ways to get coverage – Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plan.
Thanks to the 21st Century Cures Act, people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are allowed to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans as of 2021, which can include prescription drug coverage.
Original Medicare does not have an out-of-pocket maximum, which means there’s no limit to what beneficiaries might spend annually. However, Medigap plans can help cover these out-of-pocket costs.
On the other hand, Medical Advantage Plans limit where you get care, but they cap out-of-pocket costs.
To learn more about Medicare health plans, visit Medicare.gov and search “ESRD.” Then click on “Sign up for Medicare if you have ESRD.”
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY: 1-877-486-2048).
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Joint Federal-state Programs
Dialysis patients can get help for treatment from one or more programs run jointly by the state and federal governments, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage for low-income people with disabilities.
Each state runs its own Medicaid program based on a certain set of rules by the federal government. Medicaid may pay for the services that Medicare does not.
You can apply at Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
What is the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?
CHIP provides low-cost health insurance to children, although it often works closely with state Medicaid programs. The states run CHIP and follow federal rules.
Find eligibility criteria for CHIP through Healthcare.gov or your state’s Medicaid or CHIP agency.
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Other State Programs
There are various state programs to help dialysis patients
- State kidney programs provide grants and other services to people with kidney issues who need dialysis. Dialysis clinics must have a social worker to help their patients. You can talk to them or your state financial counselor to find out if there is any state kidney program.
- State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) help to pay for prescription medicines for kidney treatment in certain states. Visit the SPAP online locator to learn what’s available in your state.
FDA Grants Marketing of New Device for Continuous Dialysis Therapy
The Food and Drug Administration of the United States granted marketing authorization for a new device. It provides continuous hemofiltration or hemodialysis therapy.
Continuous dialysis therapies, such as those provided by new devices, can offer more frequent or constant blood filtering, which may help some patients manage their symptoms better than traditional thrice-weekly sessions. However, the cost implications can vary based on individual treatment plans and coverage.
Conclusion
When kidneys fail, dialysis is performed. This treatment purifies and filters the blood using a machine.
Dialysis treatment is given weekly to maintain a balance between fluids and electrolytes, and it costs a lot of money.
Medicare typically covers 80% of the approved amount for dialysis treatment and equipment after the deductible is met, with patients responsible for the remaining 20% unless they have supplemental coverage.
You are not alone! There are many sources of grants for dialysis patients.
Take care of yourself and stay healthy on dialysis!
See Also
What is Medicare? Medicare Parts A, B, C and D
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