Dialysis (children)
Part A (Hospital insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) cover different items and services for children’s (pediatric) dialysis if your child is eligible.
Description
Dialysis is a treatment that cleans the blood when the kidneys don’t work.
Coverage details
If your child is in a hospital:
- Part A covers dialysis treatments.
- Part B covers doctors' services.
If your child isn't in a hospital, Part B covers these dialysis services:
- Outpatient dialysis treatments (in a Medicare-certified dialysis facility)
- Home dialysis equipment and supplies
- Certain home support services
- Drugs and biological products for outpatient or home dialysis (like an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent to treat anemia)
- Doctors' services
- Other services that are part of dialysis (like laboratory tests)
- Dialysis when you travel within the U.S. and use a Medicare-certified facility
If you have a problem finding a dialysis facility that’s willing to take your child as a patient, you have the right to file a complaint (grievance).
Who's eligible
Medicare covers certain items and services for children’s dialysis if your child qualifies for Medicare due to permanent kidney failure.
Find out if your child is eligible for Medicare.
Costs
- Inpatient hospital services: Part A pays for these services after you pay the hospital inpatient deductible .
- Doctors' services: After you meet the deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount .
- Dialysis services: The amount you pay may vary based on your child's age and the type of dialysis they need.
- Transportation services: In most cases, Medicare doesn’t pay for transportation to dialysis facilities.
If your child has other insurance, your costs may be different.