Medicare pays for most dialysis. It can start to pay on the 1st day of the 1st month for home dialysis-or at the 4th month of treatment for in-center. Starting Medicare on the 1st day of the 1st month can save thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.

There is a Medicare window to start training for PD, home HD, or certified in-center self-care. The date that closes the window is the 1st day of the 4th month of dialysis:

• If training starts IN the window, a clinic can send in forms to backdate Medicare to the 1st day of the 1st month.
• If in-center dialysis continues, or training starts AFTER the window closes, Medicare starts at the 4th month.

Medicare has created a simple tool - The Out of Pocket Cost Estimator - to help you see how your coverage choices impact your costs. You can also compare your current costs with different coverage options.