Tackling the Financial Challenges of Kidney Disease

Tackling the Financial Challenges of Kidney Disease
SHARE

It’s normal to feel a lot of emotions after being diagnosed with kidney disease. However, one of the biggest challenges is the financial burden of the disease. From keeping up with bills to navigating your insurance coverage, it’s easy to be overcome by the cost of health insurance premiums, treatment, and more.

Luckily, you have options to make these costs less harmful to your daily life. There are options and programs created with kidney disease patients in mind. It is possible to tackle these financial challenges for good so you can live life to the fullest without worrying about paying for your next treatment.

Health Coverage

Though expensive, many of the costs associated with a kidney transplant, peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis are covered under traditional health insurance and federal or state-sponsored health insurance. This should be your first line of defense if you’re facing financial struggles associated with kidney disease.

Your treatment should be covered by Medicare, private insurance, TRICARE, and state medical assistance. Visit a social worker at your dialysis or transplant center for assistance navigating your insurance coverage. They help you work with your insurance to determine what you’re coverage includes, as well as helping you apply for additional benefits.

Just because you have been diagnosed with kidney disease does not mean your life can’t go on as it did before. Not only can you return to work once medically cleared, but you can also receive treatment while traveling through platforms like Booknowmed. Returning to work and a normal schedule will help keep your finances stable during this time.

Image via Pexels

American Kidney Fund

If traditional medical coverage is not enough, many patients receive assistance from the American Kidney Fund or the AKF. This organization has been around since 1971, and its goal is to make care more affordable for kidney patients today. The AKF helps thousands of people each year pay for dialysis, insurance premiums, and daily necessities. Here are a few of their most common programs available to patients with kidney disease.

  • Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP) – This program helps over 50,000 patients pay for insurance premiums. To be eligible, you must prove you are unable to afford the cost of health insurance coverage. State or federal programs must be used first, but this is a great option for dialysis patients in need of financial assistance.
  • Safety Net Program – The Safety Net Program is for both dialysis and transplant patients who need help with necessities. Through this program, patients can receive a grant of up to $175 every six months for transportation, medication co-pays, and emergency help.
  • Donated Medication Program – Through generous donations, patients approved for this program can receive the two most commonly prescribed drugs for dialysis patients at no cost. These medicines are given in a four-month supply, and they can be applied for again at the end of the program.

Though not a permanent solution, these opportunities above help patients who have run out of other support options for the treatment they need. It’s important to note that you’ll need to apply through a social worker to receive assistance through the AKF.

As you can see, there are options to help afford your medical treatment as you continue with kidney disease. Remember, you don’t have to face these financial challenges alone. Talk to your doctor and your dialysis center about options, treatment alternatives, and cost-effective strategies.


SHARE

I am a pop culture and social media expert. Aside from writing about the latest news health, I also enjoy pop culture and Yoga. I have BA in American Cultural Studies and currently enrolled in a Mass-Media MA program. I like to spend my spring breaks volunteering overseas.

Post Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.