Healthcare Cost

Dialysis Cost With and Without Insurance in 2024

Sophie Wei
Sophie Wei1 Jan 2024
Cost of Dialysis Without Insurance 
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Dialysis Costs with Medicare 
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Medicare Coverage of Dialysis
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How to Save Money on Dialysis 
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Dialysis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Bottom Line 
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Dialysis is a major treatment option for individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although dialysis is often a necessity for patients with these conditions, it can be an incredibly costly procedure. Depending on your insurance status and the type of dialysis you are receiving, costs can vary anywhere from $10,000 - $90,000 annually. 

Cost of Dialysis Without Insurance 

The costs of dialysis will vary depending on your insurance status, the type of dialysis you are receiving, and where you are receiving the procedure. In addition, people with CKD who have to do consistent dialysis may have Medicare or private insurance programs that can cover parts of the cost.

Type of DialysisLocationAnnual CostCost Per Session/Day
In-center Hemodialysis (HD)Dialysis Center$72,000 - $88,000$250 - $350 (per session)
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)At Home$53,000 - $65,000$145 - $180 (per day)

The average cost for in-center hemodialysis (three times a week) was reported to be approximately $72,000 to $88,000 per year . The cost per session could range from approximately $250 to $350 or more, given that a typical schedule is three sessions a week.

Peritoneal dialysis, which is typically done at home, can be slightly less expensive but is still estimated to cost around $53,000 to $65,000 annually. However, if we were to break down the average annual cost into daily sessions, it might equate to around $145 to $180 per day, keeping in mind this is a rough average and doesn't account for all possible variables.

According to DaVita, a company that owns most dialysis centers across the U.S., one dialysis treatment for uninsured patients can cost over $500. Additionally, if receiving dialysis from the emergency department at a hospital, prices can be as high as $10,000 per session. 

Dialysis Costs with Medicare 

Since 1972, all individuals diagnosed with ESRD are eligible for Medicare benefits. Medicare will cover inpatient and outpatient dialysis, home dialysis training, dialysis equipment and supplies, and prescriptions related to dialysis. Medicare Part A and Part B cover the majority of dialysis costs. Once enrolled, Medicare will cover 80% of your dialysis costs, leaving you to pay the remaining 20%. 

Each part of Medicare has a different monthly premium and deductible you need to meet. Below is a breakdown of how much Medicare Part A and B cost in 2023. 

Medicare Part A + B Pricing for 2023

PlanCoverage PremiumAnnual Deductible
Part AInpatient No premium for individuals with ESRD $1,556 
Part B Outpatient $164.90$226
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Sophie Wei

Sophie is a 2024 Pharm D. candidate studying pharmacy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She has a passion for healthcare and writing and hopes to make meaningful contributions to healthcare transparency and accessibility. In her free time, she likes to take care of her houseplants, cook, and hang out with her cat.

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