Home Hemodialysis
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Province of Alberta to provide a means by which home hemodialysis patients may offset the added utility (electricity and water) costs for patients who are conducting hemodialysis in their homes.
WHEREAS hemodialysis patients throughout Alberta often must travel for treatment to larger urban areas;
WHEREAS many patients are choosing to conduct hemodialysis treatments in their own home to improve their quality of life;
WHEREAS the cost of utilities (electricity and water) for home hemodialysis can make the treatment unaffordable for patients; and
WHEREAS there is no funding available to patients to recover the extra costs for utilities for home hemodialysis.
The quality of life for patients undergoing dialysis treatments can often seem compromised and without benefit due to seemingly endless trips to dialysis centers and increased strain due to stress on their personal lives.
Home Hemodialysis Programs are set up for patients who require dialysis as part of their treatment. Equipment is provided to patients from Alberta Health to conduct home hemodialysis. The equipment uses water while operating and treating the patients.
There are many benefits including improved patient outcomes, increased personal time, reduction in travel-related expenses, and overall, an improved quality of life.
Unfortunately, the cost of home hemodialysis can make the treatment unaffordable to many patients especially those on fixed incomes. In 2017, the Town of Strathmore was approached by a citizen who conducts home hemodialysis. The citizen explained to Council that his water utility bill had become a burden to him because of the increase costs due to his treatment. Home Hemodialysis Patients can see an increase in water costs by up to 300%.
To address the issue, Strathmore Town Council provided a grant to patients in Strathmore on Home Hemodialysis to help with water utility costs. However, it was the consensus of Council that these costs should be covered by Alberta Health Services because the treatment costs for utilities have been transferred to the patients. Because these costs are covered for patients who receive the same treatment in the hospital it would seem only reasonable that the same costs are covered for those who take the treatment in their own homes.
Currently in Alberta, there are 3,756 Dialysis Patients. Of these patients, 243 conduct Home Hemodialysis.
The Province of Manitoba has a grant program for Home Hemodialysis Patients to help them with utility costs. The information is provided below.
Further background:
Town of Strathmore Home Hemodialysis Grant Program
Alberta Dialysis Patient Numbers – Alberta Health Services (June 19, 2018)
Home Hemodialysis Utility Reimbursement Program (Manitoba) - The Kidney Foundation Canada
The Minister’s response to the 2018 resolution states that the Ministry of Health has signed a grant agreement with the Kidney Foundation of Canada to better support those Albertans who receive home hemodialysis. Starting this year, Albertans will be able to apply to the Kidney Foundation of Canada for the reimbursement of utility expenses related to their home hemodialysis treatment.
- AUMA does not have a current policy position on this specific issue.