If you are going to receive a kidney transplant, please speak with your transplant team as they are experts with respect to the logistics required to process all of the Medicare forms and other required documentation inclusive of your laboratory results. Each transplant team has experienced and skilled dedicated coordinators,insurance and financial experts, one or more nutritionists all in addition to the renal surgeons and nephrologists.

Again, your transplant team with help you with all forms and required documentation with regard to enrollment in Medicare based on ESRD. In the event this is not explained to you, please speak with members of your transplant center’s team.

To enroll in Medicare if you have End- Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you may visit your local Social Security office.

If you are on dialysis, your physician and dialysis center will have to send documentation to Social Security verifying that you have ESRD and stating what kind of treatment you need. Call the National Social Security Hotline at 1-800- 772-1213 for the office nearest you. If you are unable to enroll yourself due to illness, a family member or other responsible party can enroll on your behalf.

When one is going to receive a kidney transplant, Medicare actually begins with the month one is admitted to a Medicare-approved hospital for the transplant or for health care services that one needs before receiving the kidney transplant.

When your Medicare begins depends on your treatment plan:

-If you have been receiving dialysis as an outpatient, Medicare eligibility starts on the first day of the fourth month you receive renal dialysis. For example, if you begin receiving dialysis on May 10, your Medicare eligibility will start on August 1.

-If you need dialysis and start a self- dialysis training program, Medicare begins the first day of the first month of the program. You must start the training program before your third month of dialysis. Your physician must also state that he or she expects that you can complete the training program and will continue self- dialysis after the program ends.

-If you receive a kidney transplant, Medicare begins with the month you are admitted to a Medicare approved hospital for the transplant or for health care services that you need before receiving the kidney transplant.

You must receive the transplant that same month or within the two following months. If the transplant is delayed, Medicare coverage begins two months before the month of your transplant.

Medicare information and all of the important links are all live on this LI TRIO Medicare and Insurance page as well as our Links page.