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The benefits of daily hemodialysis treatments seem obvious. Daily treatments more closely resemble normal kidney function than three-times-a-week treatments. It also means fewer dietary and fluid restrictions as well as fewer medications. Patient testimonials about the benefits of daily treatments are abundant.

Medicare payment policy, also known as the composite rate, is based on three-times-a-week dialysis. This is, at first glance, less expensive for the government than daily treatments. Evidence is building, however, that daily treatments may result in overall lower healthcare costs for end-stage renal disease patients by reducing hospitalizations and lowering overall drug costs.

The most expensive cost component of a hemodialysis treatment is the patient-care (nursing) labor. This can be greatly reduced by performing hemodialysis treatments in the home. A new generation of home hemodialysis machines is currently under development that greatly simplifies their operation and reduces the burden on a home partner. The Internet also makes remote monitoring of the dialysis machines by trained professional staff affordable and convenient.