Health insurance for kidney dialysis

How much is private health insurance with cover for kidney dialysis?

Below you can find sample quotes from Finder partner funds. All policies include treatments for chronic kidney failure.

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Name	Product	Dialysis for chronic kidney failure	Tier	Price Per Month	Hide CompareBox	Apply
Qantas Silver Plus Hospital			Silver	$159.84		1300 641 719 Go to Site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ahm deluxe silver plus			Silver	$160.20		1300 670 233 Go to Site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HBF Gold Hospital			Gold	$169.48		Go to Site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Medibank Silver Plus Security			Silver	$164.90		1300 179 942 Go to Site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HCF Hospital Silver Plus			Silver	$172.25		Go to Site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What is a kidney dialysis?

A kidney dialysis is a type of treatment that's used when a patient develops end-stage kidney failure. Dialysis helps to return the body to balance by preventing waste, salt and water from building up in the body. It also helps to maintain a safe level of chemicals in your blood and helps to control blood pressure.

How can I cover the cost of chronic kidney disease and dialysis treatment?

There are a number of ways for you to potentially receive benefits for chronic kidney disease and dialysis, both through the public and private health systems.

• Public health system
• Private health insurance

Health funds on Finder who offer cover for kidney dialysis

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Health fund	Which policies from these funds include cover for kidney dialysis?	Find out more
	Hospital only policies top hospital gold deluxe silver plus top hospital no obstetrics silver plus Combined hospital + extras policy deluxe flexi silver plus deluxe package silver plus	Get quote
	Hospital only policy Ultimate Hospital Advanced Hospital Premium Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Top Choice Smart Start	More info
	Hospital only policies Top Hospital with Pregnancy Top Hospital No Pregnancy Combined hospital + extras policies Prime Ultimate Health Cover	More info
	Hospital only policies Gold Hospital Cover Combined hospital + extras policy Gold Hospital & Healthy Extras Gold Hospital & Classic Extras Gold Hospital & Optimum Extras Gold Hospital & Elite Extras Gold Hospital & Ideal Extras	More info
	Hospital only policies Premium Hospital Premium Hospital Non-Obstetrics Combined hospital + extras policy Premium Hospital + Classic Extras Premium Hospital + Essential Extras Premium Hospital + 60% Extras Premium Hospital + Total Extras	More info
	Hospital only policy GMHBA Gold Ultimate Hospital with AIA Vitality GMHBA Silver Plus Premium Hospital GMHBA Silver Plus Premium Hospital with AIA Vitality	More info
	Hospital only policy Frank Top Hospital	Get quote
	Hospital only policy Gold Hospital Gold Hospital & Ambulance Care	Get quote
	Hospital only policy HCF Hospital Gold HCF Hospital Silver Plus Combined hospital + extras policy HCF Hospital Gold + Hcf Starter Extras (With Optical) HCF Hospital Gold + Hcf Mid Extras HCF Hospital Gold + Hcf Vital Extras HCF Hospital Gold + Hcf Starter Extras HCF Hospital Gold + Hcf Top Extras HCF Hospital Silver Plus + Hcf Starter Extras (With Optical) HCF Hospital Silver Plus + Hcf Mid Extras HCF Hospital Silver Plus + Hcf Vital Extras HCF Hospital Silver Plus + Hcf Starter Extras HCF Hospital Silver Plus + Hcf Top Extras	Get quote
	Hospital only policies GoldStar Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Silver Plus No Maternity Combo	More info
	Hospital only policies Medibank Gold Complete Hospital Medibank Silver Plus Security Combined hospital + extras policies Medibank Gold Ultra Health Cover	Get quote
	Hospital only policies Five Star Hospital	More info
	Hospital only policies Gold Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Gold Hospital & Economy Extras Gold Hospital & Extras	More info
	Hospital only policies Gold Top Hospital Silver Advantage Hospital Plus Silver Hospital Advanced Combined hospital + extras policies Basic Essential Hospital Plus + Core and Wellbeing Extras Basic Essential Hospital Plus + Core Extras Basic Essential Hospital Plus + Core Extras Boost Basic Essential Hospital Plus + Top Extras Bronze Standard Hospital Plus + Core Extras Bronze Standard Hospital Plus + Core Extras Boost Bronze Standard Hospital Plus + Top Extras Bronze Standard Hospital Plus + Core Extras Boost Silver Advantage Hospital Plus + Core and Wellbeing Extras Silver Advantage Hospital Plus + Core Extras Silver Advantage Hospital Plus + Core Extras Boost Silver Advantage Hospital Plus + Top Extras Top Cover Young at Heart Top Mid Plus	More info
	Hospital only policies Premium Hospital Mid Hospital (restricted benefit*) Combined hospital + extras policies Gold Hospital $750 & Simple Extras Gold Hospital $750 & Mid Extras Gold Hospital $750 & High Extras Gold Hospital $500 & Premium Extras Silver Plus Hospital $500 & Simple Extras Silver Plus Hospital $500 & Mid Extras Silver Plus Hospital $750 & Simple Extras Silver Plus Hospital $500 & Premium Extras	More info
	Hospital only policy Gold Top Hospital Silver Plus Essentials Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Gold Top Hospital 500 & Top Extras Gold Top Hospital 500 & Mid Extras Gold Top Hospital 500 & Base Extras Gold Value 250 Cover Gold Value 500 Silver Plus Essentials 500 & Mid Extras Silver Plus Essentials 500 & Base Extras Silver Plus Essentials 500 & Top Extras	More info
	Hospital only policies Superior Gold No Obstetrics Silver Combined hospital + extras policies Packaged Superior Gold Packaged No Obstetrics Silver Packaged No Obstetrics Silver Packaged Ultimate Gold Pasplan Gold Status 85	More info
	Hospital only policies Silver Plus Select Hospital Gold Top Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Silver Plus Select Hospital and Healthy Choice Extras Silver Plus Select Hospital and Top Extras Gold Top Hospital and Healthy Choice Extras Gold Top Hospital and Top Extras	More info
Restricted fund**	Hospital only policies Comprehensive Hospital Limited Hospital Active Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Prestige StepUp	More info
Restricted fund**	Hospital only Policy Ultimate Hospital Gold Combined hospital + extras policies Essentials Hospital Basic Plus and Essentials Extras Essentials Hospital Basic Plus and Premier Extras Essentials Hospital Basic Plus and Value Extras Everyday Hospital Bronze Plus & Essentials Extras Everyday Hospital Bronze Plus & Premier Extras Everyday Hospital Bronze Plus & Value Extras Ultimate Hospital Gold and Value Extras Ultimate Hospital Gold and Essentials Extras Ultimate Hospital Gold and Premier Extras Value Hospital Silver Plus and Essentials Extras Value Hospital Silver Plus and Premier Extras Value Hospital Silver Plus and Value Extras	More info
Restricted fund**	Hospital only policies Premium Gold Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Corporate Gold Hospital & Budget Extras Corporate Gold Hospital & Healthy Living Extras Corporate Gold Hospital & Premium Extras Premium Gold Hospital & Budget Extras Premium Gold Hospital & Healthy Living Extras Premium Gold Hospital & Premium Extras	More info
Restricted fund**	Hospital only policy Gold Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Gold Combined	More info
Restricted fund**	Hospital only policies Top Hospital Top Hospital Ambulance Exempt Combined hospital + extras policies Top Hospital & Top Extras	More info
Restricted fund**	Hospital only policy Union Health Silver + No Pregnancy Hospital Silver + No Pregnancy Hospital Union Health Silver+ Family Hospital Silver + Family Hospital Union Health Gold Hospital Gold Hospital Combined hospital + extras policies Gold Easy Choice Gold Ultimate Choice	More info

_{*Benefit only applies if you are treated as a private patient in a public hospital. If you attend a private hospital you will incur significant out-of-pocket expenses for your treatment.
**Restricted funds only provide cover to members of specific industries, groups and organisations. In some cases family members may also be eligible to join.}

^{Data last correct as of 21 Septemeber, 2019.}

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When you get your quotes on the next page, just click refine search and then choose kidney dialysis under hospital cover.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the symptoms of reduced kidney function?

  Chronic kidney disease can often go undetected in the early stages due to lack of or few symptoms. Some symptoms are indicative of kidney failure, while other symptoms such as high blood pressure can be confused with other conditions. Symptoms can include:

  • Kidney pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles

  • Change in the frequency and appearance of urination
  • Bad breath and a metallic taste in the mouth
  • Disturbed sleep and tiredness
  • Appetite loss and problems concentrating

• What are the five stages of chronic kidney disease?

  Chronic kidney disease has five stages. Stages one to three can be managed with medication, while stage five is the most severe and requires a kidney transplant or ongoing dialysis treatment.

  Disease progression	Physiological changes	Physical symptoms
  Stage 1	No decrease in GFR*	No symptoms
  Stage 2	Small reduction in GFR* Defects in other organ systems High blood pressure	Usually no symptoms
  Stage 3	Significant reduction in GFR* Defects in other organ systems High blood pressure Increase in proteins in urine	In some cases no symptoms
  Stage 4	Significant reduction in function of kidneys Defects in other organ systems High blood pressure Significant increase in proteins in urine	Abnormal function of organ systems
  Stage 5	Kidney failure	Abnormal function of organ systems, fatigue, swelling, change of skin colour

  _{*GFR: Glomerular Filtration Rate is an indicator used to measure kidney function.}

   

• What are the common treatments for kidney-related ailments?

  Chronic kidney disease treatments vary based on the severity of the condition. However, patients suffering end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) will require kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are two types of KRT treatments:

  • Haemodialysis. Although this can be done at home with assistance, haemodialysis is generally carried out at a medical facility. A patient's blood is filtered using an external machine and transferred back into the body. Patients requiring this type of treatment may be required to visit a hospital or clinic multiple times per week and the procedure can last up to six hours each session.

  • Peritoneal dialysis. This type of dialysis is performed in the home and can be done by the patient. Unlike haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis filters the patient's blood using PD fluid in the stomach. Two types of peritoneal dialysis exist:
    • Home continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which is performed during the day.
    • Home automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), which is performed overnight while the patient is asleep.

• Can I access my superannuation early to pay for my treatment?

  Early access to preserved superannuation is available in the event of financial hardship. Superannuation savings can help pay for the cost of chronic kidney disease treatment if:

  • You have been receiving Centrelink benefits for six months or longer and you can no longer pay your living expenses.
  • You need your superannuation to cover loan payments so you can keep your home.
  • You require palliative care resulting from chronic kidney disease.

  If your superannuation fund includes benefit payments for total and permanent disablement, you can claim these if your chronic kidney disease prevents you from returning to your regular job. You may also be able to claim a disability benefit lump sum if your chronic kidney disease reaches stages four or five and you have to stop work.

• Are there any other funding options I could make use of?

  Additional sources of financial support may be available to you if you are undertaking home dialysis treatment. These include:

  • Water and electricity cost reimbursement from the state government.
  • Centrelink Sickness Allowance.
  • Centrelink Carers Payment – Long-term Dialysis Support.
  • Centrelink Essential Medical Equipment Payment.
  • Paid sick leave from your employer.

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