Managing finances
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Managing Money with Kidney Disease
Access to funds is crucial when you require treatment for kidney disease. Here you can explore an overview of options, including assistance available, exploring insurance and planning financially on dialysis.
With the right support, you can manage kidney disease and live your life to the fullest.
Seeking support from your healthcare team
Usually, a kidney social worker is the best resource for knowing what financial support is available.
If you are not already connected to a social worker, ask your treating team for a referral. Your treating doctor and kidney nurses may also be able to assist you.
If you’re wanting to understand what support is available at work, consider discussing with your HR department or your union. You can also learn more about work and kidney disease by clicking the button below.
Financial Assistance Options
Financial support from the Australian government can help you cover dialysis costs, travel costs, and carer support costs. To find out exactly what you’re eligible for, please speak to your social worker or healthcare team.
The following links from Services Australia may also provide you with some further assistance:
You may be able to recoup travel and accommodation costs for medical treatment far away from home.
This is called the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), and the amount of assistance varies per state.
For more information, you can view this Guide to Patient Assistance Transport Schemes compiled by the National Rural Health Alliance.
Will I be out of pocket financially if I dialyse at home?
Patients on peritoneal dialysis have the machine and supplies provided. You may need to buy extra hand soap, paper towels, and storage supplies out-of-pocket.
Doing haemodialysis at home does involve increased water and electricity bills. Some states provide funding to patients to help cover these costs, but you should enquire from your own nephrology unit to get an accurate figure on how much dialysis at home might cost.
For information on financial support if you are undertaking home dialysis go to: HomeDialysis.org
You may be able to apply for financial assistance or transport assistance.
Support can include taxi vouchers, corporate shuttles or private cars. Please check with your individual unit about what is offered in your location.
You may be eligible for carer assistance.
To find out, call Centrelink on 132 717.
You can also refer to the Department of Human Services website.
Some private health insurance policies cover chronic kidney disease, including dialysis and certain medications. To compare and find out more, visit the Federal Government Private Health website, or call 1300 737 299.
If you already have private health insurance, call your provider directly
Moneysmart is an Australia Government website which has great information to help you make confident money decisions.
Managing costs on dialysis
To find out what you’re eligible for, talk to your social worker or healthcare team. If you have private health insurance, you can also talk to your health fund about what support they may offer.
Haemodialysis takes up many hours each week. You can work with all types of haemodialysis but you may need to adjust your working hours, particularly when you first start dialysis and your body is adjusting.
If dialysis impacts your ability to work, it can impact on your household finances.
People on dialysis may be eligible for support from the Australian Government such as:
- Assistance to help cover the cost of dialysis, travel and carer support
- Concessions on water and electricity bills if you are on home dialysis. These vary by state and territory.
- Essential Medical Equipment Payment program that helps to cover costs associated with running your dialysis machine.
- In some cases, support getting to and from your dialysis sessions. Please check with your individual unit about what is offered in your location.
If dialysis impacts your ability to work, it can impact on your household finances. You may be eligible for assistance with some of the costs of your treatment:
- People on PD may be eligible for support from the Australian Government such as assistance to help cover the cost of dialysis, travel and carer support
- Some dialysis units will assist with the cost of buying digital scales, a blood pressure machine and any other equipment or resources you may need. This does vary, so please check with your dialysis unit.
