Number of dialysis patients statewide: 7,199
This state does not currently offer Medigap insurance to dialysis patients under 65.
Medigap Update
Despite all of our efforts to extend Medigap coverage to those under 65 the legislation did not pass this year. However, with your help, we will work even harder in 2011 to make Medigap coverage in South Carolina a reality. Sign up to receives alerts on this issue and to be on the list to take action early next year.
Kidney Patients From Across South Carolina Visit State Capitol to Encourage Policies that Improve Patient Access to Life-Saving Dialysis and Transplant Care
March is National Kidney Month; National Kidney Foundation and Dialysis Patient Citizens Sponsor ‘Kidney Day at the State House’ to Raise Awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease and the Importance of Patient Access to Quality Kidney Care
COLUMBIA, SC (MARCH 3, 2010) – More than 50 dialysis patients, family members and kidney care advocates from across South Carolina gathered at the state Capitol today with the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas, South Carolina Region (NKF) and Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) to encourage state lawmakers to support Medigap legislation (S. 1128, sponsored by Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee), and H. 4552, sponsored by Representatives Joan Brady (R-Richland), Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca) and Kristopher Crawford (R-Florence)). If enacted, the legislation will help approximately 500 South Carolinians suffering from kidney failure and patients deemed disabled who are having difficulty accessing health insurance coverage for necessary medical care.
SC House Introduces HB 4552
South Carolina Representatives Joan Brady, Kris Crawford and Bill Sandifer introduced House Bill 4552. This bill would extend Medigap coverage to kidney patients under 65.
Please take a few minutes to send an email to your South Carolina lawmakers to encourage them to pass House Bill 4552 and Senate Bill 1128.
South Carolina Delays Cuts
South Carolina delayed cuts to nutritional supplement and Medicaid reimbursement for dialysis patients for 30 days effective February 1, 2009. Originally, January 1, 2009 South Carolina had planned to eliminate reimbursement for nutritional supplements provided to patients at the dialysis center and cut Medicaid funding for dialysis by $10 per treatment. DPC is grateful that cuts to funding for essential care provided to dialysis patients will be delayed. We hope the State of South Carolina will find the funding necessary to be able to eliminate the cuts altogether this year.
Dialysis treatments already are reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid at a rate lower than it costs to provide the treatment. Further reducing the reimbursement rate could place additional strain on the dialysis system and cause dialysis facilities to close—possibly reducing dialysis access, especially in rural and minority communities that are more heavily dependent on Medicaid patients.
Renal vitamins and renal supplements provide dialysis patients with many of the needed nutrients they need to remain healthy while on dialysis. Because many dialysis patients are on disability or have limited incomes, they often are not able to comply with their renal diet. According to the United States Renal Data Systems, 76% of dialysis patients do not eat sufficient amounts of protein and 86% do not meet daily energy intake levels. Removing coverage of renal vitamins and supplements would make it more difficult for patients to meet proper nutritional needs. Studies have shown that even a small increase in albumin can reduce hospitalizations by up to 41%. An increase in hospitalizations could result if access to supplements and vitamins for dialysis patients was reduced, costing the state additional resources.
DPC has sent a letter
to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and will keep patients and the public up to date on the responses we receive.
South Carolina News
Bickley, Lennox: Learn More About Risks, Resources for Kidney Disease
The South Carolina State, March 22, 2010
Patients in 'Gap' ask State to Let Them Buy Coverage
Bill would allow those who don't qualify for Medicaid to buy supplement
Greenville Online.com, March 7, 2010
Become Educated About Kidney Disease
DPC Patient Ambassador Angela Lattimore from Seneca, SC has her letter to the editor published
