ESRD Medicare: Eligibility, Coverage Start, and 30-Month Rule
Medicare and ESRD eligibility at any age: dialysis coverage starts month 4, transplant rules apply, 30-month coordination period, and when Medicare ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does Medicare coverage start for in-center dialysis?
- For regular in-center dialysis, coverage starts the first day of the fourth month of dialysis treatments. Home dialysis training can move the start to the first month.
- What is the 30-month ESRD coordination period?
- When you have both ESRD Medicare and a group health plan, the group health plan pays first and Medicare pays second for the first 30 months. After 30 months, Medicare becomes the primary payer.
- Does COBRA count for the 30-month ESRD coordination period?
- Yes. COBRA is a form of group health plan continuation coverage. With ESRD and COBRA, the group health plan generally pays first for the 30-month coordination period. Medicare pays second, then becomes the primary payer after 30 months.