FAQ — Rinnovare Home Dialysis

Question 1

What is home dialysis?

Accepted Answer

Home dialysis is kidney replacement therapy performed in the comfort of your own home rather than at a dialysis center. It includes both home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). With Rinnovare, a licensed nurse comes to your home to administer or assist with your treatment, so you receive clinical-grade care without the commute.

Question 2

What types of home dialysis does Rinnovare offer?

Accepted Answer

We support both staff-assisted home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Our licensed nurses travel to your home to administer hemodialysis treatments, and we provide hands-on assistance and education for patients on peritoneal dialysis. Your nephrologist will help determine which modality is best suited to your medical needs.

Question 3

Is home dialysis as effective as in-center treatment?

Accepted Answer

For many patients, yes. Studies suggest that home dialysis — particularly more frequent or longer treatments — can achieve results comparable to conventional in-center hemodialysis, and many patients report better quality of life, more flexibility, and better blood pressure control. Results vary from person to person, and home dialysis is not right for everyone. Your nephrologist will monitor your labs and treatment adequacy and help you decide what is best for you.

Question 4

What are the advantages of dialyzing at home?

Accepted Answer

Home dialysis offers significant lifestyle benefits: no travel to a center three times a week, treatment on a schedule that fits your life, more time with family, and the comfort of your own environment. Some patients on more frequent treatments also find they feel better between sessions and may have fewer fluid and diet restrictions — always follow the diet and fluid plan from your nephrologist and dietitian.

Question 5

Am I eligible for home dialysis?

Accepted Answer

Many patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who need dialysis can be considered for home therapy. Eligibility depends on your overall health, home environment, and the availability of a willing caregiver if needed. We work closely with your nephrologist to evaluate whether home dialysis is a safe and appropriate option for you.

Question 6

Do I need a caregiver at home?

Accepted Answer

For staff-assisted home hemodialysis with Rinnovare, our licensed nurse is present during every treatment — so a dedicated caregiver is not required for the treatment itself. However, having a supportive family member or caregiver involved in your care is always encouraged. For peritoneal dialysis, we provide thorough training so patients can eventually perform exchanges independently.

Question 7

How do I get started with Rinnovare?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is simple. Contact us through our website or by phone, and we'll schedule an initial consultation with you and your nephrologist. We'll assess your home environment, discuss your treatment plan, coordinate equipment delivery, and arrange a training schedule — all before your first treatment at home.

Question 8

Does my home need any special modifications?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, minimal modifications are needed. We'll conduct a home assessment to evaluate your water supply, electrical setup, and available space. Our team handles the coordination of any necessary water treatment system installation and ensures the environment is safe and suitable for dialysis before treatments begin.

Question 9

What training will I receive?

Accepted Answer

We provide comprehensive, hands-on training for both patients and caregivers. Training covers how your dialysis machine works, how to recognize and respond to alarms or complications, infection prevention, catheter or access care, and emergency procedures. Training is paced to your comfort level — we don't rush the process.

Question 10

Who administers my treatments?

Accepted Answer

All treatments are administered or directly supervised by a licensed registered nurse (RN) from our team. Your nurse will set up the equipment, monitor you throughout the session, document your vitals and treatment data, and communicate any concerns to your nephrologist.

Question 11

What happens if I have a problem between visits?

Accepted Answer

Our team provides guidance on how to handle common situations between scheduled visits. We maintain open communication with patients and families, and we coordinate with your nephrologist for any clinical concerns. For medical emergencies, patients should always call 911 first. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, bleeding that will not stop, or you feel faint or confused, call 911 right away.

Question 12

How often will a nurse visit?

Accepted Answer

Visit frequency is determined by your prescribed treatment plan, which is set by your nephrologist. Most home hemodialysis patients receive treatments three to five times per week. Our scheduling is flexible and designed to fit your routine as much as possible.

Question 13

How long does home dialysis training take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type of dialysis and how quickly you feel comfortable. Home hemodialysis training typically takes several weeks, while peritoneal dialysis training is usually shorter. We go at your pace, and training is not finished until you, your care partner and your care team all agree you are ready.

Question 14

Can my family member or care partner train with me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we encourage it. A care partner who has trained alongside you knows how the machine works, what the alarms mean and what to do in an emergency. Even when our nurse is providing your treatments, an informed family member is a real safety net.

Question 15

What will I learn during training?

Accepted Answer

You will learn how to set up and prime the machine, take your weight, blood pressure and temperature, care for and connect to your access, start, monitor and end a treatment, respond to alarms, keep treatment records, order and store supplies, prevent infection, and what to do in an emergency such as a power outage. We also train on the machines we work with, including the Fresenius 2008K, the NxStage System One and the Tablo Hemodialysis System.

Question 16

What if I do not feel ready at the end of training?

Accepted Answer

Then we keep going. There is no pass-or-fail deadline. Feeling confident matters as much as knowing the steps, and we will add sessions or review any skill until you are comfortable.

Question 17

What should I do when the machine alarms?

Accepted Answer

Alarms are a safety feature — they mean the machine has noticed something and paused to protect you. Stay calm, read the message on the screen, and follow the steps you learned in training. Most alarms are resolved in a few moments, such as straightening a kinked line or changing your arm position. If you cannot clear an alarm, or you feel unwell, follow your emergency instructions and contact your care team.

Question 18

What equipment is provided?

Accepted Answer

Rinnovare coordinates the delivery and setup of all equipment needed for your home treatments, including the dialysis machine, water treatment system, and all consumable supplies such as dialyzers, tubing, and saline. We also handle ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting so you don't have to worry about equipment issues.

Question 19

Who is responsible for equipment maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Our team manages routine maintenance and coordinates repairs for all dialysis equipment in your home. If a machine requires servicing, we work with the equipment provider to minimize any disruption to your treatment schedule. You'll never be left managing technical issues on your own.

Question 20

How are supplies delivered?

Accepted Answer

Supplies are delivered directly to your home on a regular schedule coordinated with your treatment plan. We track your usage and ensure you always have adequate stock on hand. If you run low or need something urgently, contact us and we'll arrange a delivery.

Question 21

How much space do I need at home?

Accepted Answer

Less than most people expect. You need a clean, well-lit area with room for the machine, a comfortable chair or bed, and access to an electrical outlet and, for most hemodialysis machines, a water connection and drain. You will also need a clean, dry place to store supplies — a closet or a corner of a room is usually enough. We look at all of this with you during the home assessment.

Question 22

Will home dialysis raise my utility bills?

Accepted Answer

You may see a modest increase in water and electricity use, depending on the machine and how often you treat. We can give you a realistic idea of what to expect for your specific equipment.

Question 23

Can I dialyze at night while I sleep?

Accepted Answer

Some patients do nocturnal (overnight) dialysis, which is longer and gentler. Whether it is an option for you depends on your prescription, your machine and your home situation, and it must be approved by your nephrologist.

Question 24

Can I keep working or travel on home dialysis?

Accepted Answer

Many home dialysis patients keep working, because treatments can be scheduled around their day. Travel is possible with planning — some machines are portable, and treatments can also be arranged at a dialysis center where you are going. Talk to your care team well before your trip.

Question 25

What do I do in a power outage, storm or hurricane?

Accepted Answer

Emergency planning is part of your training. You will learn how to safely end a treatment and return your blood if the power goes out, and you will have a written emergency plan with backup contacts, an emergency diet and fluid plan, and a list of nearby dialysis centers. Living in the Houston area, we recommend registering with your power company as a medical-priority customer and keeping an emergency kit ready during hurricane season.

Question 26

How do I care for my access and prevent infection?

Accepted Answer

Your access — a fistula, graft or catheter — is your lifeline. Wash your hands before every treatment, keep the site clean and dry, follow the cleaning and masking steps exactly as taught, and never skip a step even when you are in a hurry. Check your access every day and tell your care team right away about redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, pain, fever, or any change in the thrill (buzzing feeling) of a fistula or graft.

Question 27

When should I call my care team, and when should I call 911?

Accepted Answer

Call your care team for problems such as a fever, signs of infection at your access, a missed treatment, unusual swelling or weight gain, blood pressure that is much higher or lower than normal for you, or a machine problem you cannot solve. Call 911 immediately for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, bleeding that will not stop, fainting, confusion, or signs of a stroke.

Question 28

Can I go back to in-center dialysis if home dialysis is not right for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Choosing home dialysis is not a permanent decision. If your health, home situation or preferences change, your nephrologist and care team can help you move back to in-center treatment or to a different type of dialysis.

Question 29

Does insurance cover home dialysis?

Accepted Answer

Medicare Part B covers home dialysis training, equipment, supplies and support services for people with ESRD when they are provided through a Medicare-certified dialysis facility. After the Part B deductible, patients are generally responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount unless they have supplemental coverage. Many private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans also cover home dialysis. Coverage for staff-assisted care in the home varies by plan — Original Medicare does not pay for dialysis aides in the home — so please confirm your coverage with your insurance plan and the care provider who hires Rinnovare.

Question 30

Does Rinnovare accept Medicare?

Accepted Answer

Questions about Medicare and insurance coverage are between you and the care provider who hires Rinnovare, so please direct coverage questions to them. For home dialysis training, Rinnovare accepts cash and credit card payments.

Question 31

What if I have questions about billing or coverage?

Accepted Answer

Insurance and coverage questions are best answered by your insurance plan and the care provider who hires Rinnovare. For questions about Rinnovare's own training fees and payment — we accept cash and credit card — reach out to us directly and we will be glad to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Home Dialysis

Eligibility & Getting Started

Training & Nurse Support

Equipment & Supplies

Living with Home Dialysis

Insurance & Coverage

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