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Number of dialysis patients statewide: 50,057 2012 Legislative Session: January 4 – August 31 |
Medicare, a federal program, pays for dialysis for over 80% of dialysis treatments. However, many issues concerning dialysis patients are actually handled at the state level.
Individual states have to provide certain basic services under Medicaid, but they also have flexibility in how they structure their plans and set their reimbursement rates. In addition, some states have the authority to determine the need and location for additional dialysis facilities (this is often referred to as certificate of need). Because dialysis patients’ care can be affected by state officials as well as federal officials, DPC members are becoming more active on state issues—ensuring the patients’ voice is heard locally as well as nationally.
2011 Medi-Cal Update
In October, DPC learned the State restricted coverage of oral nutritional supplements for adults enrolled in Medi-Cal, but DPC received a letter from the Department of Health Care Services stating that patients with kidney disease and a co-morbidity mal-absorption diagnosis who require specialized elemental or semi-elemental enteral nutrition products may still receive Medi-Cal coverage of these products.
Additionally, CMS approved a ten percent reduction to provider reimbursement for patients who are solely covered by Medi-Cal. It also instituted a seven visit cap on Medi-Cal coverage for out-patient visits and an increase in Medi-Cal co-pays for patients. These cuts went into effect on July 1, 2011.
>Response from the CA Department of Health Care Services (10/5/2011)
>Additional Letter to the CA DHCS Regarding Nutritional Supplement Cuts (9/23/2011)
>Initial letter to the State of California regarding these cuts
>Archives of previous Action Alerts for the state of California
California Dialysis Patient Resources
Community Health Partnership - Diabetes Coalition of Santa Clara County
Provides low-income, uninsured or underinsured individuals access to diabetic medical supplies, with an emphasis on the Latino population.
1-408-556-6605
Santa Clara County
The Kidney TRUST
Assists dialysis patients needing help with co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for medical treatment, services, and prescription drugs. Please note that the Kidney Trust has specific application periods during each year. Please check before you apply.
1-866-399-7634
National Kidney Foundation Serving Southern California & Southern Nevada
This foundation has an emergency assistance fund to aid dialysis and transplant patients who are experiencing financial crisis.
1-800-747-5527
Northern California
#17 Western Pacific Renal Network
505 San Marin Dr. Bldg. A, Suite 300
Novato, CA 94945
1-800-232-3773
Southern California
#18 Southern California Renal Disease Council
6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 2211
Los Angeles, CA 90028
1-323-962-2020
Medi-Cal
1-916-445-4171
- Adult Programs: This is a public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS.
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Programs for Children: Healthy Families is low cost insurance for children and teens.
California Advocacy Archives
As the state legislature prepares for 2012, new legislation will need to be introduced to accomplish our advocacy priorities. Click here for a list of issues and legislation DPC advocated for in past legislative sessions.