Medicare for kidney failure (ESRD)
Eligible at any age, with timing tied to your treatment.
People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), meaning permanent kidney failure that requires regular dialysis or a kidney transplant, can get Medicare at any age if they (or a spouse or parent) have enough work history or get certain benefits.
When coverage starts
- In-center dialysis: usually the first day of the fourth month of dialysis.
- Home dialysis training: can start the first month of dialysis.
- Kidney transplant: can start the month you're admitted for the transplant, or up to two months earlier in some cases.
- Coverage can be backdated up to 12 months.
If you have employer coverage
For the first 30 months of Medicare eligibility based on ESRD, group health coverage pays first and Medicare second, regardless of employer size. After 30 months, Medicare pays first.
Plan choices
Since 2021, people with ESRD can join Medicare Advantage plans, including Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans for ESRD. Medigap access under 65 depends on your state, and several states exclude people with ESRD.
After a kidney transplant, people who don't have other coverage may be able to keep Part B coverage for immunosuppressive drugs only, at a lower premium ($121.60 a month in 2026).
Common questions
Yes. Part A and Part B cover dialysis and related services; Part B covers most outpatient dialysis.
It can end 12 months after dialysis stops or 36 months after a successful transplant, unless you qualify another way, such as age or disability.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.