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 Medicaid Update
The state is seeking CMS approval to increase co-pays for Medicaid patients, and is proposing a bundled reimbursement system for providers for care to patients covered by Medicaid solely.

Utah Dialysis Patient Resources

National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho
Provides financial assistance, transportation and laptop computers for kidney patients living in Utah and Idaho.
1-800-869-5277

#15 Intermountain End Stage Renal Disease Network
165 S. Union Blvd., Suite 466
Lakewood, CO  80228
1-800-783-8818

Utah Medicaid Program
1-800-662-9651

• Adult Programs: Provides quality health care services to eligible low-income residents of this state.
• Programs for Children: The Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP is a state health insurance plan for children. Depending on income and family size, working Utah families who do not have other health insurance may qualify for CHIP.
• Additional Programs: Utah's Premium Partnership for Health Insurance- UPP Helps pay for insurance premiums for working individuals who can not afford the employer-plan premiums.