Traveling While on Dialysis
Whether or not you regularly dialyze at a U.S. Renal Care center, we are happy to help you arrange dialysis care during your travels. At U.S. Renal Care, we are here to support you in enjoying your life while maintaining your dialysis treatment. Start by submitting a Travel Request Form to get in touch with a travel coordinator.
Let U.S. Renal Care help you enjoy life's adventures
It is best to make travel arrangements with the treatment center you plan to visit as soon as possible, especially during the summer months. If you are currently a patient of U.S. Renal Care, coordinate your travel treatment schedule with your care team. If you are a transient patient traveling to an area with a U.S. Renal Care center, call us at 1-800-550-9664.
U.S. Renal Care gave Deb & Angus the flexibility to plan their long-awaited road trip adventure.
Tips for Healthy Travel
Make travel plans as early as possible (at least 30 days before your trip) to ensure you won't miss any dialysis treatments.
Before Travel
- Complete your travel submission form, paperwork, lab work, and testing required by the dialysis center.
- Call your insurance provider to discuss covering treatment expenses while traveling.
- Tell your care team about your travel plans so they can make arrangements at a dialysis center that is close to your destination. The earlier you plan, the better chance you have of getting a seat in the center.
- Request a copy of your dialysis order to bring with you.
- Confirm your treatment days and times one week before you leave.
- If you are on the transplant list, share your travel plans with your transplant coordinator.
During Travel
- Always keep your medications with you (if flying, pack them in your carry-on luggage).
- Pack kidney-friendly snacks.
- Fruits and veggies: apples, grapes, carrot sticks, and celery sticks
- Low-sodium snacks: unsalted crackers, popcorn, pretzels, and rice cakes
- Renal-friendly protein: low-salt tuna packets, low-salt peanut butter, and hummus
- Mini water bottles
- Have the name and phone number of your doctor with you.
- Know where the hospitals are near your destination in case of emergency.
Know Your Rights
- Under the Air Carrier Access Act of 1990, airlines are not allowed to discriminate against people with disabilities or medical needs, which includes people undergoing dialysis treatment. If you use a portable dialysis machine, you are not allowed to be charged to check it. Airlines must also take it as a priority bag when boarding the plane, either checked or carried on, and retain full liability if it is lost or damaged in flight.
- You are also allowed to bring your medicines and syringes in your carry-on luggage, as long as they are clearly labeled with the original packaging. If you encounter any problems, please feel free to call the Department of Transportation (DOT) Disability Hotline at 1-800-778-4838.
- Paying for your treatment while traveling should be consistent with your payment plan at your regular treatment center. However, Medicaid plans may not pay if traveling out of state. Be sure to contact your Medicaid plan to discuss. When traveling in the United States, Medicare and your private insurance will generally pay their portions of your dialysis costs.
- If a patient is traveling somewhere where there is not a U.S. Renal Care location close, effort will be made to get them treatment from a local care provider.
U.S. Renal Care operates more than 500 dialysis centers across 33 states. Submit a Travel Request Form to get in touch with a travel coordinator.