Medicare will cover treatment for End-Stage Renal Disease. Treatment can include in-home dialysis, outpatient dialysis, and more. Yet, there are a few additional things to know about ESRD and Medicare, including the waiting period, eligibility, and plan options. For example, there are some plans for which you may not qualify due to ESRD, and other plans are made just for you.
Can You Get Medicare With End-Stage Renal Disease?
You can obtain Medicare coverage under age 65 if a doctor diagnoses you with End-Stage Renal Disease. However, you must have enough work history to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or be the child or spouse of someone with enough work history to qualify.
Does Medicare Cover End-Stage Renal Disease?
Yes, Medicare covers the treatment of End-Stage Renal Disease, including dialysis and a kidney transplant. You must have permanent kidney failure requiring a kidney transplant or dialysis.
When Does a Person Become Eligible for Medicare Due to End-Stage Renal Disease?
People needing dialysis aren’t eligible to enroll in Medicare until the first day of dialysis. But, hemodialysis patients will wait until the fourth month of treatment for Medicare to be effective. So, if hemodialysis begins in April, Medicare will become effective July 1. Yet, for home dialysis patients, Medicare is effective in the first month of treatment.
Do You Have to Sign Up For Medicare if You Have End-Stage Renal Disease?
Those with employer coverage don’t need to enroll in Medicare immediately. Your employer plan will cover your dialysis treatment for 30 months before Medicare automatically becomes your primary insurance. You may be able to keep your employer coverage and use it as a secondary insurance to Medicare. If you get your insurance through the Marketplace, you sign up for Medicare if you want it. You can’t have both Medicare and Marketplace insurance. Those who don’t enroll in Medicare when their kidneys fail will have penalties when they do enroll.
What is the 30-month Coordination Period with Medicare?
The 30-month coordination period begins on the first date you become entitled to enroll in Medicare due to End-Stage Renal Disease. During this time Medicare can be the secondary payer for 30-months. The coordination period is beneficial for those with employer, COBRA, or retiree coverage. For ESRD patients without other insurance, Medicare is primary at the time of enrollment.
Can I Enroll in Part C When I Have End-Stage Renal Disease?
Those who already have a Part C (Medicare Advantage) policy when they develop End-Stage Renal Disease can keep their Advantage plan or enroll in another plan offered by the same company. If that company leaves the service area, they have a one-time right to join another plan. Employer Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage.
If you’re 65 or older, have a successful kidney transplant, and it is determined that you no longer have ESRD, you might be able to join a Part C plan. Some Part C Special Needs Plans will cater to ESRD patients, but those aren’t available everywhere. In 2021, Medicare Advantage plans will cover End-Stage Renal Disease patients without restrictions.
Can I Enroll in Medigap With End-Stage Renal Disease?
Enrolling in Medigap under 65 has more to do with state-specific rules than End-Stage Renal Disease. In many states, Medigap is just too expensive for those under 65. But, in some states, Medigap costs about the same for everyone. Either way, you’ll need to sign up during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, or during a time when you have guaranteed issue rights, to avoid underwriting eligibility questions.
FAQs
How to Find a Medicare Plan When You Have End-Stage Renal Disease
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