End-Stage Renal Disease, Medicare Coverage & Long-Term Financial Planning

In Part 2 of our TransplantLyfe webinar series, we take a deep dive into the financial realities facing people with kidney disease—particularly around Medicare eligibility, coverage decisions, and long-term planning after transplant. This 60-minute session features real patient case studies and expert insights to help patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals better understand how to navigate one of the most complex—but critical—aspects of transplant care.

The webinar includes expert commentary from Craig Pressley, LICSW, Social Work Program Leader at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and is moderated by Kevin Schnurr, a kidney transplant recipient and TransplantLyfe Community Manager, and Dr. Karin Hehenberger, a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient and President of Lyfebulb.

The session explores two distinct case journeys: Maria, a preemptive transplant recipient with commercial insurance, and James, a dialysis patient on the transplant waitlist. Their stories illuminate how Medicare enrollment decisions—such as when to initiate Part A and/or B coverage—can dramatically affect financial obligations, insurance coordination, and access to essential medications like lifelong immunosuppressants. The panel explains the 30-month coordination of benefits period, Medicare Part B-ID protections, and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to unexpected costs.

In addition, the webinar highlights multiple financial assistance options, including:

• American Kidney Fund’s Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP)
• Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)
• The Extra Help Program for Medicare Part D
• Pharmaceutical assistance tools like NeedyMeds, RxOutreach, and GoodRx

Whether you are preparing for transplant, recovering from surgery, or supporting a loved one, this webinar provides essential education to inform decision-making, reduce financial risk, and improve long-term outcomes.

Learn more at TransplantLyfe.com and join our discussion forum to continue the conversation.