Home Hemodialysis vs. In-Center Dialysis

Staff-assisted home hemodialysis is performed by a licensed dialysis nurse, the same kind of licensed nurse who works in dialysis centers. Your own nephrologist stays in charge of your treatment plan, the nurse monitors you one on one for the entire session, emergency protocols are in place for every treatment, and documentation returns to your doctor after every visit. The difference is the ratio: in a center, one nurse cares for up to twelve patients. At home, your Elik nurse cares for only you.

No. For patients with commercial insurance, your out-of-pocket cost is determined by your plan, not by where you receive care. Elik verifies your coverage before any treatment begins, so there are no surprises. If Medicare is your primary insurance and you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare commercial plan as secondary, you qualify. One call and Elik tells you exactly what your plan covers: Houston (713) 861-7500, Dallas (972) 238-7788.

Yes. Many Elik patients transferred from in-center dialysis. Your nephrologist manages the clinical transition, so you do not start over. Elik verifies your commercial insurance, coordinates with your doctor, schedules your first in-home treatment against your center schedule, and picks up where your care left off. The typical patient switches within one to two weeks of their first call.

Yes. The dialysis machine and supplies are delivered to your home and stored there. The licensed Elik nurse arrives with everything else needed for treatment: needles, tubing, lines, medications, and cleaning supplies. You do not order anything, track inventory, or manage deliveries. Elik handles all of it.

No. Original Medicare does not pay for staff-assisted home hemodialysis, by law. Medicare Advantage plans follow Medicare's reimbursement rules, so they do not pay for it either. Elik provides staff-assisted home hemodialysis for eligible patients with BCBS, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare/UHC commercial coverage, including when Medicare is the primary insurance. Medicare-only, Medicare Advantage (including BCBS, Cigna, or UHC Medicare Advantage plans), Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans, and Medicaid do not pay for this service through Elik. If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance, on its own or as a secondary plan alongside Medicare, you qualify. Elik confirms your exact plan in one phone call: Houston (713) 861-7500, Dallas (972) 238-7788.