Guides
How to choose a dialysis center, read its ratings and pay for care.
Dialysis Quality Measures Explained: Kt/V, Fistulas, SMR and More
What each number on a dialysis center's report card means: death and hospitalization rates, infections, Kt/V adequacy, fistula vs. catheter, calcium and phosphorus, and transplant waitlisting.
Dialysis Center Star Ratings Explained: What 1 to 5 Stars Really Means
How CMS calculates the five-star rating for dialysis facilities, which measures go into it, why most centers get 3 stars, and what to look at beyond the stars.
How to Choose a Dialysis Center: 7 Things That Matter Most
Location, schedule, outcomes, home dialysis options and how the staff treat you. A practical way to compare dialysis centers before you commit.
In-Center vs. Home Dialysis: Hemodialysis, PD and Home HD Compared
The three main ways to do dialysis, side by side: schedule, freedom, diet, equipment, who each suits, and how to find a center that trains you for home dialysis.
Medicare Coverage for Dialysis and Kidney Failure (ESRD): A Plain-English Guide
Who qualifies for Medicare because of kidney failure at any age, when coverage starts, what you pay for dialysis, and how Medigap, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and employer plans fit in.
20 Questions to Ask a Dialysis Center Before You Start
A printable checklist for touring a dialysis center: schedules, staffing, infections, home dialysis, transplant support, and what to watch for on the treatment floor.