Medigap Victories

Both the Georgia and Tennessee state legislatures have passed legislation to allow all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of age, the ability to purchase optional Medicare supplemental insurance plans. 

These states join Florida, which passed similar legislation in 2009, and 28 other states in providing equality to all Medicare beneficiaries.  Without the opportunity to purchase Medigap insurance, many patients have to pay their 20 percent co-pays and co-insurances out of their pockets or spend down their assets until they become Medicaid eligible.  In addition to helping individuals cover their co-pays, Medigap insurance will also help prevent some individuals from joining the Medicaid rolls—helping create significant savings for states. 

The availability of Medigap insurance for all Medicare beneficiaries in Georgia and Tennessee is a great victory for kidney patients.  DPC members were very active in Georgia and Tennessee, helping to ensure passage of this historic legislation.  Patients testified before the Legislature and completed countless grassroots calls and emails. Their efforts made the difference. 

DPC asks all of our members to support the availability of Medigap plans for all Medicare beneficiaries nationwide who are under the age 65.  Please contact your U.S. Senators now and ask them to support S. 1669 the Equal Access to Medicare Options Act. 

>Send an email to your U.S. Senators

It's Hurricane Season!

Hurricane season is upon us. Do you and your family have a disaster plan in place?

Disaster preparedness is important for everyone.   Everyone should have an evacuation plan, plenty of clean water and food supplies, and knowledge of how to get in touch with your friends and loved ones in the case of a weather emergency. For dialysis patients there are even more preparedness measures needed.  You may be surprised to know that most local and state governments do not have a disaster preparedness plan that accounts for the special needs of dialysis patients.  Therefore, it is extremely important that you take responsibility to prepare for a potential disaster.

Click on the link below to find tools and resources made specifically for dialysis patients to help you and your family to be prepared if an emergency strikes. 

>Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Dialysis Patients

ABC's of Medicare

Medicare is government-provided health insurance for the following groups of U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have contributed enough Medicare taxes while they were working or have a spouse who contributed:

• 65 years of age and older
• Under 65 years of age with disabilities
• Diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant)

>Medicare Frequently Asked Questions 

Kidney Care Education Material

DPC works to ensure that dialysis patients’ voices are heard on a number of issues that affect their care.  To help ensure that education materials created to help dialysis patients are most effective, we have worked to incorporate patients’ perspectives in  the creation of the materials.  This patient assistance is often invaluable and helps ensure the right message is getting to the right people. 

You can help.  Let us know if you would like to provide input on print and internet education materials designed to help dialysis and pre-dialysis patients.

>Yes, I would like to help!