Medicare.gov

Kidney transplants (children)

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare  Part B (Medical Insurance) cover different items and services related to children’s (pediatric) kidney transplants.

Part A usually covers these transplant services: 

  • Inpatient services in an approved hospital
  • Kidney registry fee
  • Laboratory and other tests to evaluate your child’s medical condition and the condition of possible 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)

Part B covers these transplant services: 

  • Doctors’ services for kidney transplant surgery
  • Doctors’ services for the kidney donor during their hospital stay
  • Blood (if a transfusion is needed)

Part B also covers compounded immunosuppressive drugs (including transplant drugs) in certain circumstances, if Medicare helped pay for your child's transplant. 

Important: Find out if your child is eligible for Medicare.

Your costs in Original Medicare

  • Inpatient hospital services — Part A usually pays for these services after you pay a deductible.
  • After you pay the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for Part B services.
  • If your child has other insurance, your costs may be different.
If your child has ESRD, you can choose either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan when deciding how to get Medicare coverage. If your child is in a Medicare Advantage Plan, what you pay may be different. Learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans if your child has ESRD.

 

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

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.

Related resources

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