Grants for Kidney Dialysis Patients

Dialysis treatment can be essential for kidney patients, but it can also be extremely costly. The American Kidney Fund and the National Kidney Foundation both offer patients financial assistance to cover health insurance premiums, Medicare expenses and other treatment-related expenses such as transportation that insurance does not cover.

HIPP Grants

• One option offered by the American Kidney Fund (AKF) is The Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP). It covers Part B Medicare, Medigap, commercial, and COBRA premiums for dialysis patients who have insufficient funds. These premium payments allow patients to continue their health insurance coverage when they cannot afford them otherwise.

Medicare Part D Grants

• The AKF offers the Medicare Part D Program, which provides financial assistance for dialysis patients to help cover the costs of prescription medication. Qualified patients can receive funding to assist with deductibles, co-payments and coverage gap costs for medications covered by Medicare Part D.

Safety Net Grants

• Safety Net Grants from the AKF help dialysis patients with out-of-pocket costs that can cover a wide variety of financial needs. This can include treatment-specific expenses, medications, nutritional products, medical supplies, transportation and traveling services and disaster relief.

Genzyme Patient Assistance Program

• The AKF and Genzyme Corporations partnership offer programs that provide Renvela and all forms of Hectorol to qualified patients who have no prescription drug coverage. This grant covers up to a four-month supply and patients may reapply.

National Kidney Foundation

• The NKF offers a number of financial assistance programs, as well as extensive financial counseling, for kidney patients. Grant programs vary by region; the NKF website and local affiliate offices provide further details.