Focus on Our Friends

Perhaps no other Federal Government program can lay claim to have saved as many lives as the Medicare end stage renal disease (ESRD) program. Since its inception in 1973, as a result of the Social Security Amendment of 1972 (Public Law 92-603, section 299I), over 1 million persons have received life-saving renal replacement therapy under this program. Prior to the enactment of this legislation, treatment was limited to a very few patients due to its extremely high cost and the limited number of dialysis machines. In the 1960s, it was not uncommon for hospitals that had dialysis machines to appoint special committees to review applicants for dialysis and decide who should receive treatment, the others were left to die of renal failure. Public Law 92-603 removed this odious task from the nephrology community. A person with ESRD is entitled to Medicare if he/she is fully or currently insured for benefits under Social Security or is a spouse or dependent of an insured person.

Every year CMS issues the Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System, Payment for Renal Dialysis Services Furnished to Individuals With Acute Kidney Injury, End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, and End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model in early July and there is a 60 day public comment period. HDU has made it a priority to submit comments every year on behalf of the home dialysis community. The blogs below show you the power of the patient voice in transforming our care.

Part of HDU’s mission is to educate patients on policies, practices and regulations that directly affect their care and encourage patients to use their voice to tell policymakers what is important to them. Once again, HDU is asking for your support as we submit our comments for the CMS 2022 Proposed Rule.

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Noteworthy News

Here are a few blogs about the importance of the patient voice in shaping the future of dialysis. Your voice is essential and it counts. So let CMS know what you want. Advocating for and with the patient voice has always been part of HDU’s mission.

We are once again asking for your support by signing our CMS Comments for the

2022 Proposed Rule. Go to this http://chng.it/HKbMhRxCyB, add your name and individual comments, and SEND. CMS will receive your comments and HDU will submit your support with our letter. Thank you.

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Share Your Story And Help Change The World For Dialyzors. Write Now! AND

The Power Of The Patient Voice both by by HDU Executive Director, Nieltje Gedney

Tell CMS What Home Dialysis Machine Innovation Means To YOU by Eric Weinhandl, HDU Patient Advisory Board

Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System, Payment for Renal Dialysis Services Furnished to Individuals With Acute Kidney Injury, End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, and End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model