Your Medicare Coverage

Is my test, item, or service covered?

Generally, Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers these transplant services:

Inpatient services in an approved hospital
Kidney registry fee
Laboratory and other tests needed to evaluate your child's medical condition and the condition of potential kidney donors
The costs of finding the proper kidney for your child's transplant surgery
The full cost of care for your child's kidney donor
Blood (if a transfusion is needed)

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for these transplant services:

Doctors' services for kidney transplant surgery
Doctors' services for the kidney donor during his or her hospital stay
Immunosuppressive drugs (generally for a limited time after your child leaves the hospital following a transplant)
Blood (if a transfusion is needed)

Note

If your child is eligible for Medicare only because of permanent kidney failure, Medicare coverage will end:

Medicare coverage can be extended if your child meets certain conditions.

Children with Medicare.

Inpatient hospital services – Part A pays for these services; you pay a deductible.
Doctor's services – Part B generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, after you pay the Part B yearly deductible. You pay the remaining 20% coinsurance. This is in addition to the Part B monthly premium. Learn more about Part B premiums and deductibles.
Dialysis services – the amount you pay may vary based on your child's age and the type of dialysis they need.

If your child has other insurance, your costs may be different.

Note

In most cases, Medicare doesn't pay for transportation to dialysis facilities.