Travel Planning and Reminders for In-center Dialysis Patients

 

• Inform your dialysis care team of your travel plans.

• Discuss dates and location with your social worker. Please give at least one month’s notice whenever possible to allow your social worker time to process your request.

• Your social worker will partner with you to research the facilities where you are headed and request treatment with your travel dates on your behalf at the preferred clinic.

• During the summer and around holidays, availability at other clinics may be limited due to other patients also traveling. 

• Be open to seeking treatment at clinics nearby if the facility of your choice isn’t available. 

• Keep your dialysis schedule in mind when planning travel.

• Try to keep your schedule as close to normal as possible. For example: if you are planning to leave on a Friday, and you are a Monday, Wednesday, Friday patient, be mindful that you still need dialysis treatment on Friday or you will need to change your schedule to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• Your social worker will communicate with your destination’s clinic and share the necessary medical and insurance information.

• Within 30 days of travel, your care team will help you complete two required tests at your clinic:
  • Hepatitis panel blood work
  • PPD/Tuberculosis test or chest X-ray 

• Your social worker will remain in contact with the clinic requested and will keep you updated on the plans. 

• Once accepted, your social worker will provide your start date and time, address of treating facility and contact numbers. 

• For travel within the United States:
  • The requested clinic will investigate your insurance and will let us know if your insurance will be accepted and whether there is an out-of-pocket cost to you. Medicare pays 80% of dialysis treatment costs in the United States. The 20% remaining is either covered by your secondary insurance (such as  Medigap or Medicaid). 
  • Know that Medicaid is state specific! For example, your New York Medicaid will not cover treatments in Florida. 

• For international travel:
  • Medicare does not cover travel outside of the United States.    
  • If you are away for more than 30 days, your home clinic may need updated hepatitis blood work and a PPD/Tuberculosis test before you return. Ask your clinic for specific requirements.

• Most importantly, enjoy yourself and remember to watch your fluid and dietary intake while traveling!