In January 2011, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) changed the way it pays for dialysis treatments.  CMS previously paid for dialysis under what is deemed a composite rate. Certain dialysis related drugs were not included within the composite rate and were, therefore, billed separately.  However, in the new bundled payment method, the costs of dialysis treatments, medications, labs and supplies are paid to the clinic by Medicare Part B in one payment rather than a separate payment for each item.

Regardless of the method of reimbursement, patients should continue to receive the treatments and medications as prescribed by their doctors. DPC believes that there must also be a mechanism to ensure that there is an annual update to pay for the increased costs of dialysis. In addition, decision makers should consider patient input and evaluate the effects any changes to the reimbursement policy will have on dialysis patients’ quality of care and quality of life.