An individual who receives a kidney transplant must take immunosuppressive drugs to
help prevent the individual from rejecting the transplanted kidney. Entitlement to
Medicare, and coverage of immunosuppressive drugs under Part B, ends 36 months after
the month in which an individual receives a successful kidney transplant.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 amended section 1836(b) of the Social
Security Act to provide solely for coverage of immunosuppressive drugs beginning January
1, 2023, for eligible individuals whose entitlement to Medicare based on End-Stage
Renal Disease (ESRD) ends the 36th month after the month in which the individuals
receive a successful kidney transplant. We refer to this new benefit as the Part B
immunosuppressive drug benefit or “Part B-ID.”
Beneficiaries enrolled in Part B-ID will not be covered for any other Medicare benefit
or for any items or services other than Part B-ID.