Trusted references
Resources, sources & about
Official Medicare sources, kidney organizations, methodology, and the people behind the tool.
New to Medicare terms?Open the plain-language glossary.
Official Medicare and Social Security resources
Free, local Medicare counseling
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, one-on-one Medicare and health insurance counseling. Use its site to find the SHIP program in your state and ask about coverage choices or which insurance may pay first.
Find your state Medicaid program
To apply for Medicaid or CHIP, check eligibility, or get help with an application or benefits, contact your state Medicaid agency. Medicaid.gov lists state contacts and application links; choose your state to find the right office.
Kidney and transplant organizations
Methodology and limits
The calculator uses treatment months to estimate ESRD Medicare entitlement, the 30-month coordination milestone, and possible ESRD-only termination. It also uses coverage answers to provide conditional payer guidance. It cannot verify work credits, an application, actual Part A or B effective dates, or a health plan's claim decision.
Medicare rules and sources were reviewed October 7, 2026. This independent educational estimate is not an official Medicare decision.
About the developer
Craig Pressley, LICSW is a transplant social worker and advocate for people living with kidney disease. Craig is available for training about navigating insurance, finances, and chronic illness.