Person struggling to climb mountain made of medical bills, symbolizing the financial burden of kidney disease treatment.

Kidney Disease Costs Keeping You From Care? What You Need to Know

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 3 min read.

"A deep dive into how out-of-pocket expenses impact treatment for chronic kidney disease and what it means for your health."

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health concern, responsible for over a million deaths each year. Managing CKD often requires multiple medications and long-term treatments, which can create significant financial strain on individuals and their families.

While the importance of accessible healthcare is globally recognized, high out-of-pocket costs can severely limit access to necessary treatments. A recent study investigated the impact of these costs on treatment commencement and adherence for CKD patients, shedding light on who is most affected and why.

This article breaks down the findings of this critical research, exploring how financial burdens affect CKD treatment and what can be done to improve access for those in need.

The True Cost of Kidney Disease Treatment

Person struggling to climb mountain made of medical bills, symbolizing the financial burden of kidney disease treatment.

The study systematically reviewed existing research to understand how the financial burden of CKD treatment affects patients' decisions to start and continue care. Researchers looked for studies that examined the link between treatment costs, medication expenses, and patients either forgoing or stopping treatment.

The review included 14 relevant studies from various countries, highlighting a consistent trend: out-of-pocket costs significantly impact adherence to CKD medication and dialysis treatment. In low-income countries, patients often start treatment later, receive less dialysis than needed, and face higher mortality rates.

Cost as a Barrier: High costs prevent many from starting treatment.
Non-Adherence: Financial strain leads to skipping medication or dialysis sessions.
Discontinuation: Patients are forced to stop treatment altogether due to costs.
Poorer Households: Those with limited financial resources are disproportionately affected.

These findings underscore a troubling reality: the cost of treatment is a major barrier to accessing and maintaining care for CKD patients, especially those with limited financial resources.

The Path Forward: Addressing the Financial Burden

The study highlights the urgent need to address the financial barriers to CKD treatment. By expanding insurance coverage, providing financial assistance, and implementing policies that reduce out-of-pocket costs, healthcare systems can improve access to life-saving treatments and reduce the burden of this devastating disease.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/heapol/czy081, Alternate LINK

Title: The Impact Of Out-Of-Pocket Costs On Treatment Commencement And Adherence In Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

Subject: Health Policy

Journal: Health Policy and Planning

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Rebecca Dodd, Anna Palagyi, Laura Guild, Vivekanand Jha, Stephen Jan

Published: 2018-09-21

Everything You Need To Know

How do out-of-pocket expenses affect whether people stick to their Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) medication and dialysis schedules?

The research reviewed consistently demonstrates that high out-of-pocket costs significantly impact adherence to both CKD medication and dialysis treatment. This means individuals may delay starting treatment, receive inadequate dialysis, or even discontinue treatment altogether due to financial constraints. The findings highlighted that cost serves as a barrier, leading to non-adherence and eventual treatment discontinuation, disproportionately affecting poorer households.

What are the potential consequences when individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) face financial difficulties in affording their treatment?

The study revealed that financial burdens have a cascading effect on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) treatment. High costs prevent many patients from initiating the necessary treatment. For those who do begin, financial strain often leads to skipping crucial medication dosages or dialysis sessions, compromising their health outcomes. In the most severe cases, patients are forced to discontinue treatment entirely, leading to dire health consequences and increased mortality rates, particularly in low-income countries.

What steps can healthcare systems take to make Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) treatment more accessible and affordable for patients?

To improve access to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) treatment, the study suggests a multi-faceted approach focusing on reducing the financial burden on patients. This includes expanding insurance coverage to encompass a broader range of CKD treatments and medications, providing direct financial assistance to patients who struggle with out-of-pocket costs, and implementing healthcare policies aimed at reducing the overall cost of CKD care. These measures can ensure that more individuals receive the life-saving treatments they need without facing financial ruin.

Who is most likely to be affected by the high cost of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) treatment?

The impact of the cost of treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) disproportionately affects individuals with limited financial resources. The research found that patients from poorer households are more likely to delay or forgo treatment due to high out-of-pocket expenses. This disparity leads to poorer health outcomes and higher mortality rates within these vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing inequalities in healthcare access.

Are there alternative care models that could help reduce the financial burden of managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and were these explored?

While the review highlights the significant impact of out-of-pocket expenses on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) treatment adherence and commencement, it doesn't explicitly delve into the effectiveness of specific interventions like telemedicine or community-based programs in mitigating these financial barriers. Further research could explore how such interventions can reduce costs associated with travel and hospitalization, thereby improving access to care, especially for those in rural or underserved areas. Cost effective care models could also influence the impact on those affected by CKD.