The function of the kidney is to remove waste products from the blood, balance body fluids and electrolyte levels, and release hormones that help control blood pressure. The waste and excess fluids are turned into urine and passed out of the body. However, these functions may get interrupted due to chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Failure to filter the blood can lead to severe illnesses. In such cases, the blood is filtered artificially through frequent dialysis, which can drain your savings. Let’s find out the dialysis treatment costs and how you can finance the treatment.

In dialysis, the blood is filtered manually. Individuals with end–stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure undergo dialysis when the kidney stops functioning permanently. There are two types of dialysis treatments.

• Hemodialysis

  In hemodialysis, the blood is filtered using a dialyzer machine that acts as an artificial kidney. The device removes the unfiltered blood from the body, filters it through internal systems and returns clean blood to the body. Doctors typically prescribe three cycles of hemodialysis per week at medical facilities, with each session lasting up to three to five hours.

• Peritoneal Dialysis

  In peritoneal dialysis, the internal lining of the abdomen or peritoneum serves as a filtering device. Patients must first undergo surgery wherein a catheter is inserted through the belly permanently. Then peritoneal dialysis treatment is conducted by passing a solution of salts and water through the catheter into the peritoneum to filter blood. Patients generally need to perform peritoneal dialysis four times a day, every day.

Dialysis is a long–term treatment. You should also consider the pre–dialysis surgery costs such as AV fistula, AV graft or catheter insertion. You can undergo dialysis at a hospital or dedicated dialysis and kidney care centre. The per–session dialysis charges typically vary depending on the type of medical institution providing the facility (government or private) and can range from Rs 750 to Rs 3000 per session.

To manage the recurring dialysis costs, you can opt for a critical illness health insurance policy. Critical illness insurance cover comes with a waiting period of two to four years and a high sum insured. Your insurer pays a lumpsum amount that you can use to finance your dialysis sessions. You can also pay for the following expenses associated with your dialysis treatment:

• Diagnoses: Patients undergoing dialysis need to take frequent blood and urea tests to determine waste levels in the blood. They can manage these costs with critical illness plans.

• Nephrologist’s Fee: Nephrologists manage and treat CKD. Their fees vary based on their practice venue and experience.

• Pre–dialysis surgeries: Nephrologists may need to perform minor surgeries before dialysis. The costs of these surgeries are typically high but can be covered using the sums insured.

You can also manage the kidney dialysis costs with general medical insurance plans offering outpatient treatment facilities.

Health insurance policy helps you bear the high treatment costs while safeguarding your savings. Seek assistance from your insurance provider before investing in medical insurance plans that work for you.