Kidney disease education

Medicare covers up to 6 sessions of kidney disease education services if you have Stage IV chronic kidney disease Stage IV chronic kidney disease that will usually require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Medicare covers this if your doctor or other health care provider refers you for the service and when you get the service from a doctor, certain qualified non-doctor providers, or certain rural providers.

Your costs in Original Medicare

After you meet the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount per session if you get the service from a doctor or other health care provider.

Note

To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

  • Other insurance you may have
  • How much your doctor charges
  • If your doctor accepts assignment
  • The type of facility
  • Where you get your test, item, or service

Note

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and if, or how much, Medicare will pay for them.

What it is

Kidney disease education:

  • Teaches you how to take the best possible care of your kidneys
  • Gives you information you need to make informed decisions about your care

You’ll learn about these topics:

  • How to manage health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and anemia
  • How your kidneys work
  • What you should and shouldn’t eat
  • How your medications work
  • Your treatment options if your kidneys get worse:
    • Kidney transplant  
    • Hemodialysis
    • Peritoneal dialysis
    • Access options for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

You can also ask about these topics:

  • How you’ll feel
  • How to maintain your kidney function
  • Exercise
  • What your test results mean
  • Your family and social life
  • Work and finances
  • Your mental health
  • Your right to choose not to get a kidney transplant on dialysis.

Is my test, item, or service covered?