Coalition Offers Broad Framework to Improve Kidney Care
Published by Modern Healthcare Jessica Zigmond March 3, 2014 A coalition of patient advocates, dialysis-care providers and manufacturers today will unveil a comprehensive new framework for kidney care across the country that identifies four goals: improve survival, reduce hospitalizations, improve health-related quality of life, and improve patient experience with care. Kidney Care Partners—established in 2003…
Medicare Cuts Hurt
Published by Yakima Herald Republic Michelle Yarbrough February 21, 2014 To the editor — The administration’s Medicare cuts, which took effect this year, will drastically cut funding for kidney dialysis necessary for the survival of hundreds of thousands of kidney failure patients across the country and here in Yakima, reducing payments for this life-saving therapy…
Medicare’s Cuts Will Hurt Dialysis Patients
Published by Orlando Sentinel Stanley Aguirre February 15, 2014 As the administrator at DaVita’s Orlando East Dialysis Center, I, along with my patients and caregiving team, had the opportunity to share concerns about deep cuts to Medicare’s dialysis benefit with U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson’s district director, Susannah Randolph, during a recent visit to our facility….
NRAA Responds to ESRD PPS Final Rule
TROY, NY—The National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) responded to the release of the “Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System, Quality Incentive Program, and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies” final rule. “NRAA is concerned about the release of this final rule and its plan to cut our reimbursements so significantly. The twelve…
Kidney Community Says Medicare Rule Goes Too Far, Cuts Too Deep
Published by Renal Business Today December 3, 2013 The nation’s kidney care leaders expressed disappointment that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to cut Medicare payments for dialysis by 12 percent—or nearly $30 per treatment—over three to four years will have a negative impact on vulnerable dialysis patients by threatening access to,…
DaVita Comments on Final CMS ESRD Rates, Provides Initial 2014 Income Guidance
DENVER— DaVita HealthCare Partners commented on the final Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare ESRD rule for 2014 and announced initial 2014 operating income guidance. Final CMS Rule “On the dialysis rule, the bad news is that CMS appears to have accepted the premise that the language in the American Taxpayer Relief Act…
American Kidney Fund Concerned that Medicare Rule Goes Too Far
ROCKVILLE, MD — The American Kidney Fund, the nation’s leading source of charitable financial assistance to dialysis patients, today expressed deep concern over a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to cut Medicare payments for dialysis by 12 percent– or nearly $30 per treatment– over the next three to four years….
National Kidney Foundation Statement on Medicare’s Final Dialysis Payment Rule
New York, NY – In response to the final rule issued on November 22, 2013 to update Medicare payment to dialysis providers, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is pleased that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) paid close attention to concerns raised by NKF, our constituents and others to lessen harm to patient…
Dialysis Patient Citizens: CMS Releases Final Rule on 9.4% Cut to Medicare ESRD Program
DPC appreciates the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) acknowledgment of patient concerns in delaying implementation of its proposed cut to the Medicare End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Program. While dialysis patients received a temporary reprieve, the final rule does not change CMS’ original proposal to reduce dialysis funding by 12% – it merely…
CMS Retains 12% Cut in Drug Payments for ESRD Care, Approves New QIP Measures
Published by Nephrology News & Issues Mark E. Neumann November 25, 2013 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued its much-anticipated final rule Nov. 22 that updates 2014 payment rates for dialysis facilities paid under the end-stage renal disease Prospective Payment System (PPS). The agency also approved final changes to the ESRD Quality Incentive…