Transplantation

Issue Spotlight: Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage

Every year, thousands of Americans receive kidney transplants through the Medicare End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Program, which also covers dialysis, immunosuppressive drugs and other medically important services. After transplantation patients must take immunosuppressive drugs every day for the life of the transplants to decrease the risk that their bodies will reject the organs.  Unfortunately, Medicare only provides 36 months of coverage for these immunosuppressive drugs.  After that three-year period, many patients who are no longer eligible for Medicare struggle to find coverage or to purchase the anti-rejection medications themselves.  As a result, patients often end-up back on dialysis sooner than they should, increasing both their time on dialysis as well as everyone’s wait for a transplant.  Others don’t even apply for the transplant list as they know they can’t afford the drugs and continue on dialysis indefinitely.  DPC is working hard to eliminate the current cap on immunosuppressive drug coverage in Medicare.

Our Work:

March 5, 2014, Comment Letter: DPC Expresses Concerns Regarding Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs

February 18, 2014, Comment Letter: Kidney Community Urges Senate to Contact CMS Regarding Removing Immunosuppressive Protected Class Status 

March 28, 2013, Press Release: DPC Advocates Take to Capitol Hill to Discuss Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage

September 19, 2011, Press Release: Dialysis Patient Citizens’ Patient Advocates Storm Capitol Hill to Discuss Immunosuppressive Drug Extension

August 22, 2011, Comment Letter: DPC Fights for Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage

Fact Sheets:

• Extend Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients

Take Action:

• There is not currently legislation on this issue. Visit the Legislative Action Center to take action on other issues related to ESRD care.