The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is the federal Agency that oversees the Medicare program, recently reiterated its commitment to ensuring dialysis patient access to care during the current pandemic. They said that if any dialysis patients are having problems with transportation, that prevent you from getting to dialysis, they want to help. CMS also knows that your dialysis access is your lifeline, so if you have any complications with your fistula, graft or catheter and need help – that is why they created the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network Program – to help patients. So, while your dialysis facility can certainly help, a portion of every dialysis treatment goes towards funding the ESRD Networks to make sure you get the added support you need. There are 18 ESRD Network Organizations, defined geographically, that provide quality oversight for the care of ESRD patients and technical assistance to patients and providers. Each network has a phone, fax, toll free number, and email address that patients and caregivers can utilize to ask their questions and secure help on any issues they might be facing during these uncertain times. So, if you or a loved one need help, the ESRD Networks are here for you.
