Dialysis Funding
With 82% of dialysis patients relying on Medicare, and nearly half of those patients also on Medicaid, the importance of adequate government funding for this life sustaining care cannot be overstated. In the meantime, Medicare now pays a single “bundled” rate for most dialysis services, including: dialysis center staff, dialysis machines, filters, injectable medications and soon, oral-only medications. As a result, any arbitrary cut can have a devastating impact on the quality of care patients receive, staffing at their facilities or even the ability of facilities to keep their doors open. DPC continues to be a strong advocate for Medicare (and all other payers) to cover the full cost of dialysis care.
Related Information
Letter: Medicare, Medicaid not keeping up with inflation, hurting patient care
Dear Editor, I was born with a rare genetic disorder that caused my kidneys and eyes to be underdeveloped. I have battled chronic kidney disease at all levels throughout my entire life. At age [...]
Letter: Medicare failed us
As a program coordinator for the Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, I have made it my life’s mission to help kidney patients manage their condition. I see or hear stories of the inadequate standards [...]
Poor care? Blame Medicare payments
My husband Raymond and I met on a blind date. Three months later, his kidney unexpectedly failed, and I have walked alongside him on his patient journey ever since. My husband’s life depends on [...]
Reimbursement rates for health care professionals needs to be increased
As a patient with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, I know how health care workforce shortages can affect patients. I have been on dialysis for 7 years. At the clinic where I receive [...]
Dialysis Patient Citizens Applauds New Legislation Restoring Protections for Dialysis Patients
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 20, 2023) -- Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), the leading advocacy organization for dialysis patients nationwide, today released the following statement applauding the introduction of the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act [...]
DPC Expresses Outrage at CMS Indifference to Dialysis Patient Suffering
On October 27, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final rule updating payment rates and policies under the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system. This rule fails to [...]
