Lifestyle

Traveling on dialysis

Planning ahead ensures a happy, healthy trip

You don’t have to say “no” to travel for business or pleasure because you’re on dialysis. With some planning and preparation, you can wheel and deal at a convention, enjoy a family vacation, attend your company’s annual meeting, go back home for a class reunion, make the most of your retirement years or RSVP, “yes,” to an out-of-town wedding.

The first step is deciding where you want to go and when. If you’re taking a business trip or attending a planned event, you already know the destination and dates, but if you’re looking for fun and relaxation, you can make planning the trip part of the pleasure. Make a list of places you’d like to visit and when you’d like to go.

Talk with your doctor and your social worker and let them know about your plans to travel. They can provide helpful information so you can have a safe trip.

Travel tips for in-center hemodialysis patients

You will want to make arrangements at a hemodialysis center in your destination city at least four weeks in advance of your visit—the more advance notice, the better. This is especially important if you want to visit a popular travel destination or will need to fly. Sometimes, you may need to travel on short notice, perhaps because of a family emergency. If this happens, don’t panic. DaVita dialysis centers will work with you to try and get you the hemodialysis treatments you need. You may be able to get into a dialysis center with shorter notice, but it usually won’t be your first choice. You may also have to drive a longer distance to get hemodialysis or take a shift that is inconvenient. Even when you plan well in advance, it’s a good idea to be as flexible as possible. That will help make it easier to arrange for dialysis treatments away from home and make your trip more relaxing.

DaVita can help you locate a dialysis facility in the city you’ll be visiting, even if you’re not a DaVita patient. Simply call 1-800-244-0680, and tell the DaVita Representative where your travels will be taking you and when.

It’s also a good idea to check on your insurance coverage. Questions about insurance and paying for treatment can be answered before your trip, so you won’t have any surprises. Some private insurance and Medicare will not pay for dialysis treatment (or PD supplies) outside of the US or its territories. There are also some private insurance groups that don't allow travel or won't pay for travel outside their coverage area. You’ll want to see what’s covered by your individual plan.

This website can help you find a dialysis center in the city you are visiting. You can also talk to a DaVita insurance specialist and get insurance advice at no charge.

Be sure to bring all of your medical information on the trip. You may be able to fax your dialysis records to the center ahead of time or take them with you when you go.

Travel tips for home hemodialysis patients

Home hemodialysis patients will usually dialyze in a dialysis center while on vacation since it can be cumbersome to bring along their hemodialysis machine for shorter trips. Talk with your doctor and social worker or call DaVita at 1-800-244-080 for help in finding a dialysis center in the city you’re traveling to, or use the find a dialysis center tool on the website.

Travel tips for peritoneal dialysis patients

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients do their own treatments or a partner does it for them, but the treatments are not performed in a dialysis center. PD patients have much greater freedom to travel, because they are not hindered by a dialysis center schedule. You can travel while on peritoneal dialysis with some advance planning. Discuss your travel plans with your DaVita social worker. 

Make sure you coordinate the shipment of your supplies to where you will be staying. Your vendor representative can deliver most of the supplies you need right to your destination. PD patients can travel to over 150 countries worldwide with vendor deliveries of the supplies needed for their treatments. You may also want to locate a PD center in your destination city in case you run out of supplies or need emergency medical care while away from home. Talk to your home center about finding a back up center. It’s a good idea to call the center ahead of time and ask if they’d be willing to assist you when you’re in the area.

Special travel options for dialysis patients

There are travel companies who specialize in travel planning for dialysis patients. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of taking a cruise, or have taken one in the past and loved it. If so, you’ll be glad to know there are many cruises that offer treatments for dialysis patients. Dialysis cruises travel to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Bermuda, Mexico, the South Pacific, Alaska, Canada, Asia, Europe, South America and other exciting locations.

While you’re on the cruise, dialysis can usually be scheduled during your time at sea so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the ports of call. Your dialysis schedule will be similar to the one you normally have. Your last dialysis treatment will happen at the end of your cruise. That way, if you run into any delays getting home, you’ll be feeling able to deal with them.

If a cruise is not for you, there are many other exciting vacations to choose from. You could explore a new city or have a wilderness adventure. You may even decide to go to camp with other dialysis patients. Your health care team can give you more details about vacations that are right for you.

Travel tips for all dialysis patients

To make the most of your trip, keep these tips in mind:

• Start planning your trip as far in advance as possible. Arrange for in-center hemodialysis in a dialysis center at least four weeks before traveling, if possible.
• Call DaVita or use our online resource to find a dialysis center in the area you’ll be visiting. All dialysis patients—regardless of the type of dialysis they’re on—should locate a dialysis center in the area they’re visiting. You need to know where to go in case you need help or forget something.
• Find out what your insurance will cover so you don’t have any surprise expenses.
• Be sure to take the name and contact information for the dialysis center where you’ll receive treatments while away from home.
• Most dialysis centers will need information about your health, including your medical records and recent lab reports, an EKG and chest x-ray, your dialysis prescription, recent treatment records, dialysis access type, insurance information, a list of the medications you take plus your local phone number and contact information. This information should be carried by hand and not packed in checked baggage.
• When making your reservation for air or train travel, ask for special meals, if needed, such as diabetic, vegetarian, low salt, low fat, etc. Be sure to bring your own diet-appropriate snacks for travel delays and long trips.
• When checking in for a train or plane, request help boarding if needed.
• When reserving a hotel room, ask for a handicapped-accessible or first-floor room, if that is what you need.
• Bring along extra medication in case you get delayed while traveling.
• If you are planning to travel abroad, check with your doctor about any vaccinations you may need before traveling.
• Once you’ve arrived at your destination, call the dialysis center to confirm your dialysis schedule. If you’d like to visit the center to become familiar with it, call the center’s social worker or dialysis unit manager to set up a time to visit.

Summary

Even on dialysis people can travel and explore the world. Planning ahead, talking to your social worker and arranging for hemodialysis treatment or having peritoneal dialysis supplies sent to your destination will allow you to get the treatment you need and still have time to enjoy your trip.