I have ESRD. Am I eligible for Medicare? You can apply for Medicare no matter how old you have all of these: ·          Your kidneys no longer work ·          You need regular dialysis or have had a kidney transplant ·          One of these applies to you: ·        You've worked the required amount of time under Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or as a government employee ·        You’re already getting or are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits ·     You’re the spouse or dependent child of a person who meets either of the requirements listed above. You may contact  Social Securit y  for more information. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call 1-877-772-5772. I’m on kidney dialysis or ...

While payers and Medicare Advantage proponents applauded elements of the Medicare Advantage rule which will increase plans’ revenues by nearly one percent, many expressed concerns about the proposed rule’s approach to chronic disease management costs for patients with E nd-stage renal disease (ESRD) . The  proposed rule  mainly focuses on prescription drug pricing . It gives Part D plans the ability to negotiate pricing, promote less expensive generic through a new specialty tier, and allow patients to compare drug prices for the one that best fits their needs and wallet. But aside from that, this proposed rule also addresses   the population of patients with the severe stage of chronic kidney disease called end-stage renal disease in which until now has been largely excluded from Medicare Advantage coverage. End-stage renal disease is a serious condition that requires invasive and urgent chronic disease management. At this stage, the organs have completel...