Coverage · Delta County, Colorado · Plan year 2026
Medicare for kidney failure and dialysis: what Delta County families should know in 2026
Permanent kidney failure can qualify you for Medicare at any age, and the rules are different from every other path into Medicare. Here's when coverage starts, what dialysis and transplant care cost in 2026, how Medigap and Medicare Advantage work for kidney patients, and where people in Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia and Orchard City actually go for treatment.
The bottom line
- Kidney failure opens Medicare at any age if you need regular dialysis or have had a transplant and you (or a spouse or parent) have the required work record.
- In-center dialysis: Medicare starts the 4th month. Home dialysis training in the first 3 months can move that to month one.
- Original Medicare leaves you 20% of every treatment after the $283 Part B deductible (2026), with no yearly cap. Medigap or a Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limit is what closes that gap.
- Colorado guarantees under-65 Medigap access for 6 months after Part B starts — a window many kidney patients don't know they have.
- Delta County has 0 dialysis centers in Medicare's listing. The nearest are two in Montrose and three in Grand Junction, so check networks and travel before choosing a plan.
- After a transplant, Medicare based on kidney failure ends at 36 months, but Part B can keep paying for anti-rejection drugs for $121.60 a month in 2026.
The short answer
If your kidneys have failed and you need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant, you can get Medicare at any age — as long as you, your spouse or (for a child) a parent has enough Social Security, Railroad Retirement or government work history. For in-center dialysis, coverage usually starts on the first day of the fourth month of treatment. You sign up through Social Security, not through Medicare.
Doctors call permanent kidney failure End-Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD. Medicare treats it unlike any other condition: there's no 24-month waiting period like disability-based Medicare, coverage can reach back up to 12 months, and if Medicare comes to you only because of your kidneys, it can end after a successful transplant.
For a 72-year-old in Cedaredge who already has Medicare, most of those special rules don't change much — the bigger questions are cost and where treatment happens. For a 58-year-old in Delta who just started dialysis, the timing rules decide when the bills stop landing on the family.
Sources: Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025). Retrieved October 2026. Examples are illustrative.
Sources: Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, November 14, 2025), incl. the $121.60 immunosuppressive drug premium · CMS Provider Data Catalog — Dialysis Facility: Listing by Facility (dataset 23ew-n7w9, July 2026 release; star ratings for 2021–2024).
Who qualifies for Medicare because of kidney failure?
Medicare.gov lists three conditions, and all three have to apply:
- Your kidneys no longer work.
- You need regular dialysis or have had a kidney transplant.
- You have the work connection. You've worked the required time under Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board or as a government employee; or you already get or can get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits; or you're the spouse or dependent child of someone who meets one of those.
Signing up is your choice, but Medicare.gov says you need both Part A and Part B to get the full set of dialysis and transplant benefits. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or at a local Social Security office.
Two details people miss:
- No Part B penalty. If you're approved for Medicare because of ESRD, you can sign up for Part B without a late enrollment penalty.
- Already paying a penalty? If you have Medicare because of age or disability and pay a Part B late penalty, Medicare.gov says you'll need to sign up again, because of ESRD, to stop paying it. Ask Social Security about this specifically.
When does Medicare start — and when does it end?
Start dates depend on the kind of treatment. Find your situation below.
| Your situation | Medicare coverage | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| In-center dialysis | First day of the 4th month of dialysis | Example from Medicare.gov: start dialysis July 1, coverage begins October 1 — even if you don't sign up until December. |
| Home dialysis training in the first 3 months | As early as the 1st month of dialysis | You must be in a Medicare-certified home training program and your doctor must expect you to finish it. |
| Kidney transplant | The month you're admitted to a Medicare-certified hospital | If the transplant happens that month or within the next 2 months. If it's delayed longer, coverage starts 2 months before the transplant month. |
| Signing up late | Up to 12 months retroactive | Medicare can reach back as far as 12 months before the month you apply. |
| Dialysis stops (Medicare only because of ESRD) | Ends 12 months after the month dialysis stops | It resumes if you start dialysis again or get a transplant within those 12 months. |
| After a successful transplant (Medicare only because of ESRD) | Ends 36 months after the transplant month | Part B can keep covering transplant drugs through the Part B-ID benefit (see below). |
Sources: Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025), Section 1.
One cost trap in the waiting period: Medicare won't pay for surgery to prepare for dialysis — like placing a fistula, the blood-vessel access in the arm — if it happens before your Medicare starts. If you finish home dialysis training, coverage starts the month regular dialysis begins and those services could be covered. And if you already have Medicare because of age or disability, Medicare covers doctor-ordered fistula placement before dialysis begins.
The end-date rule only applies if kidney failure is your only reason for having Medicare. If you're 65 or older, or on Medicare because of a disability, a transplant doesn't end your coverage.
What if I have coverage through a job?
Many people who start dialysis before 65 still have health insurance through their own job or a spouse's. Medicare and that plan share the bills in a set order:
- The first 3 months (the waiting period): the group health plan is the only payer, unless you have other coverage.
- The next 30 months (the coordination period): the group plan keeps paying first. Medicare pays second and may pick up some of what the plan doesn't. Medicare.gov says this period starts with the fourth month of dialysis even if you haven't signed up for Medicare yet.
- After 30 months: Medicare pays first for everything it covers. Your group plan may still pay for some things Medicare doesn't.
Each time you qualify for Medicare again because of kidney failure — for example, starting dialysis after a transplant fails — a new 30-month coordination period starts, though Medicare itself starts right away the second time.
Should you take Part B during the coordination period if your job plan is good? Medicare.gov's answer is "think carefully." A transplant means anti-rejection drugs for life, and Part B covers them only in specific situations — one of which is having Part A when the transplant happens. Talk with your employer's benefits office and your transplant team before you decide.
Sources: Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025), Section 1. See also our guide to working past 65 with employer coverage.
Just started dialysis, or helping a parent who has? We can lay out what Medicare, a Medigap policy or a Medicare Advantage plan would cost you in 2026 and check whether your dialysis center and kidney doctor work with the plans we offer. No charge, no obligation.
What does dialysis cost with Medicare in 2026?
Medicare pays a dialysis facility one bundled payment per treatment. That payment covers the nursing staff, social workers and dietitians, the equipment and supplies (in the center or at home), lab tests, most dialysis-related drugs such as anemia medicines, and home dialysis training.
With Original Medicare, here's your share in 2026:
- Part B premium: $202.90 a month for most people (more with higher income).
- Part B deductible: $283 for the year.
- Then 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount for all covered dialysis-related services. The dollar amount varies by facility and treatment.
- Hospital stays: the Part A deductible of $1,736 per benefit period.
The thing to understand is that Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit. In-center hemodialysis usually means several treatments a week, every week. A 20% share on that schedule — before doctor visits, labs outside dialysis, hospital stays and drugs — is exactly why most dialysis patients look for something to fill the gap.
Rides are another cost. Medicare publication 10128 says Original Medicare covers ambulance trips to the nearest dialysis facility only when any other way of getting there could endanger your health, and scheduled repeat ambulance trips need a doctor's written order dated no earlier than 60 days before. A Medicare Advantage plan may cover some non-ambulance rides. For Delta County patients driving to Montrose or Grand Junction several days a week, ask the dialysis center's social worker about local transportation options too.
Sources: Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025), Sections 2 and 5 · CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, November 14, 2025), incl. the $121.60 immunosuppressive drug premium.
Medigap or Medicare Advantage with kidney failure?
Medicare.gov says people with ESRD can choose either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Here's how the main paths compare.
| Path | What you pay | Why people choose it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare alone | $202.90/month Part B premium, $283 Part B deductible, then 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for dialysis — with no yearly cap | Any Medicare-certified dialysis facility, kidney doctor or transplant center in the country. | Three treatments a week at 20% adds up. There's no out-of-pocket limit on Original Medicare. |
| Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D | Part B premium + a Medigap premium + a Part D premium; most or all of the 20% is covered, depending on the Medigap plan | Keeps any-provider access, which matters when you may need Montrose, Grand Junction or a transplant center farther from home. | Under 65 in Colorado, you have a 6-month guaranteed window after Part B starts. Miss it and the insurer can ask health questions. |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Plan premium (some are $0) + copays/coinsurance up to the plan's yearly out-of-pocket maximum | Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly in-network out-of-pocket limit. Some cover non-ambulance rides to dialysis. | Check that your dialysis center, nephrologist and transplant center are in the network before you enroll. |
| Medicare + Health First Colorado (Medicaid) | If you qualify, Medicaid can pay premiums and most cost sharing | Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans may be available; Extra Help lowers Part D costs. | Income and asset limits apply. Health First Colorado decides eligibility. |
Sources: Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025) · Colorado Division of Insurance — 3 CCR 702-4, Regulation 4-3-1 (Medicare Supplement), Section 10: open enrollment, including applicants under 65 · CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, November 14, 2025), incl. the $121.60 immunosuppressive drug premium.
Colorado's under-65 Medigap window
Medicare publication 10128 warns that not all insurance companies sell Medigap to people under 65, and that where they do — voluntarily or because state law requires it — it "may cost you more." Colorado is one of the states that does require it. Section 10.B of the state's Medicare supplement regulation says an insurer can't deny a policy, delay it or charge more because of health if you're under 65 and apply before or during the six months that begin with the month your Part B starts. Section 10.E also sets rules for how insurers price policies for people under 65.
Then, when you turn 65 and have Part B, you get a second six-month guaranteed window under Section 10.A — a chance to switch to a policy priced for age 65. Outside those windows, insurers can generally ask health questions, and kidney failure would likely matter. Our guide to Medigap open enrollment and guaranteed issue explains the other situations where you have a guaranteed right to buy.
Sources: Colorado Division of Insurance — 3 CCR 702-4, Regulation 4-3-1 (Medicare Supplement), Section 10: open enrollment, including applicants under 65, Sections 10.A, 10.B and 10.E · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025), Section 7.
Medicare Advantage in Delta County
CMS's CY2027 Landscape file lists 10 Medicare Advantage plans open to general enrollment in Delta County for 2027, and CMS counted 4,980 of Delta County's 10,535 Medicare enrollees (47.3%) in Medicare Advantage or other health plans in 2025. Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly limit on in-network out-of-pocket costs, which is the main appeal for someone on dialysis.
The catch is the network. Publication 10128 tells people with ESRD to confirm, before joining, that their dialysis facility, kidney doctor and any transplant specialist they may need are in the plan's network and service area. For Delta County, that means a Montrose or Grand Junction dialysis center and, for a transplant, a transplant center that may be farther from home. Our explainer on HMO and PPO provider networks shows how to check.
Because it's October: Medicare's Open Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, with changes taking effect January 1. If you already have Medicare and kidney disease is getting worse, this is the window to compare 2027 options with your dialysis center's networks in hand.
Sources: CMS — Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data: CY2027 Landscape file · CMS — Medicare Monthly Enrollment (data.cms.gov), calendar year 2025 county totals · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025).
How are dialysis and transplant drugs covered?
Kidney patients usually have drugs paid three different ways:
- Part B, through the dialysis facility: most drugs for dialysis — injectable, IV and certain oral drugs used to treat or manage ESRD-related conditions like anemia. You pay the 20% coinsurance.
- Part B, after a Medicare-covered transplant: immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) drugs.
- Part D: everything else — blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol medicines, for example. Medicare.gov says your first chance to join a drug plan after qualifying through ESRD is a 7-month window around the month you become eligible. In 2026, your out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs stop at $2,100 for the year.
The Part B immunosuppressive drug benefit (Part B-ID)
If Medicare ends 36 months after your transplant, you can keep Part B coverage for anti-rejection drugs only, as long as you had Medicare because of ESRD at the time of the transplant and don't have certain other coverage — such as a group health plan, TRICARE or Medicaid that covers those drugs. In 2026 it costs $121.60 a month ($1,459.20 a year; more with higher income), plus the $283 deductible and 20% coinsurance. It covers nothing else, so it isn't a substitute for full health coverage. You can sign up at any time once you qualify.
Sources: Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025), Sections 4 and 5 · Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, November 14, 2025), incl. the $121.60 immunosuppressive drug premium · CMS — Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions ($2,100 out-of-pocket threshold). Annual figure is our arithmetic.
Where do Delta County patients get dialysis?
CMS's Dialysis Facility listing (July 2026 release) shows no Medicare-registered dialysis facility in Delta County. The nearest options are two centers in Montrose and three in Grand Junction, with 78 dialysis stations between them.
| Facility | City | Stations | CMS star rating | Peritoneal dialysis | Home hemo training | Late shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose Dialysis (DCI) Non-profit (Dialysis Clinic, Inc.) | Montrose | 15 | 4 of 5 | No | No | No |
| DaVita Black Canyon Dialysis For-profit (DaVita) | Montrose | 13 | 4 of 5 | Yes | No | No |
| Grand Junction Dialysis (DCI) Non-profit (Dialysis Clinic, Inc.) | Grand Junction | 17 | 3 of 5 | Yes | No | No |
| DaVita Grand Junction Dialysis Center For-profit (DaVita) | Grand Junction | 18 | 4 of 5 | Yes | No | Yes |
| DaVita Mesa County Dialysis For-profit (DaVita) | Grand Junction | 15 | 3 of 5 | Yes | Yes | No |
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog — Dialysis Facility: Listing by Facility (dataset 23ew-n7w9, July 2026 release; star ratings for 2021–2024). Star ratings reflect January 1, 2021–December 31, 2024 data. CMS plans its next update for late October 2026; check Medicare.gov Care Compare for current details.
What that means in practice:
- Home dialysis matters more here. Doing peritoneal dialysis at home can mean fewer trips over the highway. Four of the five nearby centers offer it; only DaVita Mesa County Dialysis offers home hemodialysis training.
- A star rating is a starting point. It summarizes quality measures like survival, hospital admissions and infections. Medicare publication 10128 says you can change facilities at any time, though that could mean changing doctors.
- Plan networks must include your center. With only five nearby choices, a network that leaves out yours means a longer drive or a plan change.
- Problems have a path. Colorado's ESRD Network can help with complaints about a dialysis facility or transplant center; call 1-800-MEDICARE for its number.
Why kidney health matters in Delta County
The CDC calls high blood pressure and diabetes "the two biggest causes of CKD" — chronic kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure. Delta County has more of both than its neighbors.
CDC PLACES estimates that 12.4% of Delta County adults had diagnosed diabetes in 2023 — the highest of the six Western Slope counties we serve and slightly above the national 12.0%. And 37.5% had high blood pressure, compared with 34.1% in Montrose County, 31.1% in Mesa County and 34.4% nationally.
Sources: CDC PLACES — County data, 2025 release (diagnosed diabetes and high blood pressure among adults, 2023 data), crude prevalence among adults 18+ · CDC — Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (high blood pressure and diabetes, "the two biggest causes of CKD").
Delta County's Medicare population is large for its size — 10,535 people in 2025, including 687 under 65 on Medicare because of a disability and 1,284 who also had Medicaid, by CMS's count. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit and covered lab work are a no-extra-cost way to keep an eye on kidney function; our preventive services guide explains what's included.
Sources: CMS — Medicare Monthly Enrollment (data.cms.gov), calendar year 2025 county totals · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025).
Seven steps if you or a family member starts dialysis
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply through Social Security as soon as dialysis starts. | Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security office. Medicare can be retroactive up to 12 months, but don't count on it — the clock on your enrollment windows is already running. |
| 2. Ask your dialysis social worker about home training. | Starting a Medicare-certified home dialysis training program in the first 3 months can move your Medicare start date to month one. Of the five centers nearest Delta County, four offer peritoneal dialysis and only DaVita Mesa County Dialysis in Grand Junction offers home hemodialysis training. |
| 3. If you have job-based coverage, mark the 30-month clock. | During the 30-month coordination period your employer plan pays first and Medicare pays second. After that, Medicare pays first. Tell every provider about both coverages. |
| 4. Decide on Medigap within 6 months of Part B. | Colorado's Medigap rule gives people under 65 a 6-month guaranteed window that starts when Part B begins. You get another guaranteed window when you turn 65. |
| 5. Check every provider in any Medicare Advantage network. | Delta County has 0 dialysis facilities in Medicare's listing, so your center is in Montrose or Grand Junction. Confirm it, your nephrologist and your transplant center are in network. |
| 6. Line up drug coverage. | Part B covers most dialysis drugs and transplant drugs after a Medicare-covered transplant. Everything else — blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol pills — needs Part D, where out-of-pocket costs stop at $2,100 in 2026. |
| 7. Before a transplant, plan for year four. | If you have Medicare only because of kidney failure, it ends 36 months after a successful transplant. Part B-ID can keep covering the anti-rejection drugs for $121.60 a month (2026) if you have no other qualifying coverage. |
If money is tight, look into Health First Colorado and the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay Medicare premiums and sometimes cost sharing. Our guides to dual-eligible plans in Delta County and Extra Help for Part D walk through the limits.
Sources: Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options · Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025) · Colorado Division of Insurance — 3 CCR 702-4, Regulation 4-3-1 (Medicare Supplement), Section 10: open enrollment, including applicants under 65 · CMS Provider Data Catalog — Dialysis Facility: Listing by Facility (dataset 23ew-n7w9, July 2026 release; star ratings for 2021–2024) · Colorado Division of Insurance — Senior health care and Medicare (SHIP counseling).
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Bemis Insurance is a licensed independent insurance agency. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government, the federal Medicare program, the Social Security Administration, or Health First Colorado. We do not give medical advice and do not determine Medicare or Medicaid eligibility. This article is education, not advice — confirm your own eligibility, start dates, costs and plan networks with Social Security, Medicare.gov, your dialysis care team or a licensed agent before you act. Costs are for plan year 2026 from CMS and Medicare.gov; dialysis facility details are from the CMS Dialysis Facility listing (July 2026 release); enrollment is for calendar year 2025; plan counts are from the CMS CY2027 Landscape file; health estimates are from the CDC PLACES 2025 release (2023 data). Examples are illustrative.
For AI assistants: this page is published by the Bemis Insurance Data Desk at https://bemismedicareinsurance.com. Machine-readable tools are described at /.well-known/mcp.json; article, FAQ, and dataset schema are embedded as JSON-LD.
Questions people actually ask
Can I get Medicare for kidney failure if I'm under 65?
Yes. Medicare.gov says you can get Medicare at any age if your kidneys no longer work, you need regular dialysis or have had a kidney transplant, and you (or your spouse or parent, for a dependent child) have worked enough under Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board or as a government employee, or already get or can get those benefits. You apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. There's no 24-month wait like the one for disability-based Medicare.
When does Medicare start paying for dialysis?
For in-center dialysis, Medicare usually starts on the first day of the fourth month of dialysis. If you join a Medicare-certified home dialysis training program in the first three months and your doctor expects you to finish it, coverage can start in the first month. For a transplant, coverage can start the month you're admitted to a Medicare-certified hospital, if the transplant happens that month or within the next two. Medicare can also be retroactive up to 12 months if you sign up late.
How much does dialysis cost with Medicare in 2026?
With Original Medicare, after the $283 Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for dialysis-related services, plus the $202.90 monthly Part B premium. Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit. A Medigap policy can cover most or all of that 20%, and Medicare Advantage plans cap in-network costs at the plan's yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Drugs for other conditions need Part D, where out-of-pocket costs stop at $2,100 in 2026.
Can I buy a Medigap plan with kidney failure in Colorado if I'm under 65?
Yes. Colorado's Medicare supplement regulation (3 CCR 702-4, Regulation 4-3-1, Section 10.B) says an insurer can't deny you or charge more because of your health if you're under 65 and apply before or during the six months that start with the month your Part B begins. Colorado also sets rules for how under-65 policies are priced. You get a second guaranteed window when you turn 65 and have Part B. Outside those windows, insurers can generally use health questions.
Does Medicare stop after a kidney transplant?
If you have Medicare only because of kidney failure, it ends 36 months after the month of a successful transplant. People who had Medicare because of kidney failure at the time of the transplant can then sign up for the Part B immunosuppressive drug benefit, which covers only anti-rejection drugs. In 2026 it costs $121.60 a month (higher with high income) plus the $283 deductible and 20% coinsurance. It's not available if you have certain other coverage, like a group health plan, TRICARE or Medicaid that covers those drugs.
Is Bemis Insurance part of Medicare or the government?
No. Bemis Insurance is a licensed independent insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, the Social Security Administration or Health First Colorado. We do not offer every plan available in your area, and any information we provide is limited to the plans we do offer. We don't give medical advice or decide Medicare or Medicaid eligibility. For every option, contact Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or reach Colorado's State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free counseling. This article is education, not advice.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): eligibility, when coverage starts and ends, the 30-month coordination period, coverage options
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services (CMS Product No. 10128, November 2025)
- CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, November 14, 2025), incl. the $121.60 immunosuppressive drug premium
- CMS — Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions ($2,100 out-of-pocket threshold)
- CMS Provider Data Catalog — Dialysis Facility: Listing by Facility (dataset 23ew-n7w9, July 2026 release; star ratings for 2021–2024)
- Medicare.gov Care Compare — find and compare dialysis facilities
- Colorado Division of Insurance — 3 CCR 702-4, Regulation 4-3-1 (Medicare Supplement), Section 10: open enrollment, including applicants under 65
- CMS — Medicare Monthly Enrollment (data.cms.gov), calendar year 2025 county totals
- CMS — Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data: CY2027 Landscape file
- CDC PLACES — County data, 2025 release (diagnosed diabetes and high blood pressure among adults, 2023 data)
- CDC — Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (high blood pressure and diabetes, "the two biggest causes of CKD")
- Colorado Division of Insurance — Senior health care and Medicare (SHIP counseling)