American Kidney Fund: Through the Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP), the American Kidney Fund pays Part B Medicare, Medigap, commercial, and COBRA premiums for dialysis patients who have insufficient income and savings. These premium payments allow patients to continue their health insurance coverage.

HIPP is funded 100% by voluntary contributions from dialysis providers. HIPP serves as a “last resort” source of financial assistance. Last year, more than 33,000 dialysis patients in the United States were able to maintain their insurance coverage thanks to grants from HIPP.  Click here for more information. 

Medicare:  Most patients with permanent kidney failure are eligible for Medicare, at any age, if they, their spouse or parent have worked long enough under Social Security.  Depending on which treatment you choose, there can be a three-month wait for Medicare eligibility.  Normally, Medicare pays 100% of approved hospital costs (Part A) and 80% of medical expenses, including dialysis (Part B).  Part B requires a monthly premium.  The premium for 2008 is $96.40 per month.  Medicare can also help pay for your medicines (Part D).  Click here for more information on Medicare Part D for kidney patients. 

For more information, visit the Medicare website at: http://www.medicare.gov 

But, Medicare alone is not enough to cover all your medical costs. There are other ways to supplement Medicare.

Private insurance: Most private and work insurance plans also help pay for dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.  If you are covered by an employer group plan, there are special rules for coordination of benefits with Medicare.  The group plan will be the primary (80%) payer for 30 months and Medicare will be secondary (20%).  After 30 months, Medicare becomes primary. 

Medigap:  Kidney patients over the age of 65 often can get a "Medigap" policy.  The policy will help pay Medicare deductibles and co-payments (the 20%).  In some states, people under 65 can also get "Medigap" insurance.

Medicaid: Medicaid is a health insurance program for people with low income and savings.  Income limits vary by state.  Applications must be made through the local Social Services Department.  Some hospitals also have departments that will help with Medicaid applications.  Medicaid can supplement Medicare, or it can pay 100% if the patient is not eligible for Medicare.  It may also cover prescription drugs and transportation.

Other Links to Insurance Help:

Cover the Uninsured Week (Insurance Guides for Every State)
http://covertheuninsured.org/stateguides/ 

Medicines

American Kidney Fund:

Bone Care Program:

The American Kidney Fund operates a Medicare Part D Grant Program that offers qualified dialysis patients a simple way to get help with the costs of their prescribed medications.

This program launched in April 2007 and currently covers one class of drugs: bone care medications. The products covered under this program are: Fosrenol®, Hectorol®, PhosLo®, Renagel®, Sensipar®, and Zemplar® Capsules.  Click here for more information.

Safety Net Grants:

Safety Net Grants from the American Kidney Fund help dialysis patients with a wide variety of financial needs related to treatment. Last year, more than 30,000 patients received these grants.  Click here for more information.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free.  Click here to visit the Partnership for Prescription Assistance site.

Kidney & Urology Foundation of America: The Kidney & Urology Foundation of America’s (KUFA) Patient Emergency Grant Program (PEG) provides financial assistance to kidney failure patients.  Grants are limited to $100 per patient, per year.  Assistance is provided for emergency situations only, and not for chronic or recurrent conditions.  Click here for more information. 

National Organization for Rare Disorders: NORD's Patient Assistance Program assists uninsured or under-insured individuals get life-saving or life-sustaining medicines.  Click here fore more information.

Together Rx Access Card: The card can help uninsured patients get a 25-40% discount on over 300 prescription drugs.  Click here for more information.

Healthwell Foundation: The HealthWell Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps individuals afford prescription medicines they are taking for specific illnesses. The Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible patients to cover certain out-of-pocket health care costs.  Click here for more information.

Patient Access Network Foundation: The Patient Access Network Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to supporting the needs of patients that cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket health care costs.  Click here for more information.

Patient Advocate Foundation: The Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program currently provides direct financial support to insured patients, including Medicare Part D beneficiaries, who must financially and medically qualify to access pharmaceutical co-payment assistance.  Click here for more information. 

Kidney Transplant/Dialysis Association: The Patient Assistance Program provides to pay for transportation to and from treatments and for such basic living expenses as food, rent, clothing, medications, insurance premiums, utilities, and others.  KT/DA's financial assistance programs are restricted to residents of New England.  Click here for more information. 

Transplant

American Kidney Fund:

Safety Net Grants:

Safety Net Grants from the American Kidney Fund help patients with a wide variety of financial needs related to treatment. Last year, more than 30,000 patients received these grants.  Click here for more information.

Children's Organ Transplant Association: The Children's Organ Transplant Association helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support.  Click here for more information.

National Foundation for Transplants: NFT provides advocacy, support and financial assistance to transplant candidates and recipients when they face major transplant-related costs not covered by insurance. NFT provides assistance based on a patient's financial need and on the availability of funds.  Click here for more information.

National Living Donor Assistance Center: If you are considering organ donation, NLDAC may be able to lessen the burden of travel expenses.  Click here for more information. 

National Transplant Assistance Fund: NTAF helps patients and their families organize, launch and sustain grassroots fundraising campaigns.  Click here for more information.

Other Costs

American Kidney Fund:

Updated on 1/10/2008