Down on luck

[Mckenzie277]

What are my options? I need a kidney within a year or two, No insurance, do not qualify for medicaid in Texas, basically homeless. I am 57 so do not qualify to retire yet and still not on dialysis.

[KyMom7]

At the point of needing dialysis, you will automatically qualify for Medicare. Check with the Medicaid office to see if there's any type of coverage offered by the state/feds due to the covid-19 emergency. All citizens in Kentucky are covered by Medicaid for a year due to the state still being under a state of emergency. Income and asset levels are waived.

[Mckenzie277 in reply to KyMom7]

Thank you. Needing dialysis I think a year or so. Numbers been on decline for a few years. At 19 now

[Jayhawker in reply to Mckenzie277]

Have you been through transplant eligibility testing yet? If not, that would need to happen before you would be considered eligible for a donor kidney. Right now, it sounds like you need to explore funding options for dialysis so you are ready to tackle that financially when the time comes.

In the meantime, with eGFR of 19, you may be able to slow progression considerably. That would be great! It could postpone dialysis by several years. So, talk with your nephrologist. Ask to be referred to a renal dietician. Then work with the dietician. That has slowed the progression of my CKD significantly. Hopefully, with work and expert guidance, you can achieve the same outcomes.

Jayhawker

[Mckenzie277 in reply to Jayhawker]

Yes, that’s what made them stop. I was about to be considered by the committee for unos to be put on list and then they saw my insurance expired.

I get work up every month. Social workers, neurologist, dietitian, medication.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Mckenzie277]

If you're getting worked up monthly how is it being covered. The social worker needs to be assisting you with this. Once on dialysis you will medically qualify for Medicare but will need to have worked the necessary quarters as well. There are many programs out there to help with insurance. Ask nephrologist for referral to social worker through local dialysis clinic. Blessings

[Mckenzie277 in reply to KidneyCoach]

Through a charity from the hospital. They just don’t cover transplants.The social worker is thru the kidney clinic. I will see them today to see how they can help. Thank you all for your advice.

[Herkidney]

An individual in the US will qualify for Medicare once that person starts dialysis. Also, if a person has a living kidney donor and is able to have a transplant before going on dialysis, that person becomes eligible for Medicare benefits at the time of transplant. Ask for referrals from your doctor to speak to a hospital/medical social worker.

[RhenDutchess123]

Kidney failure qualifies for early Medicare...no matter what your age

[Tissybell]

If you do start dialysis, you may be able to get some financial assistance from the American Kidney Foundation. Contact the dialysis center's financial coordinator.