NxStage Initiates Campaign with Launch of Hemodialysis At Home: A Better Way For a Better Life

LAWRENCE, Mass.— NxStage Medical  is reinforcing its efforts with patients, care partners and renal professionals to increase awareness about the benefits of home hemodialysis (HHD) and advocate for reimbursement policy changes with the Centers for Medicare &  Medicaid Services (CMS) specifically as it relates to reimbursement for HHD training.

The Company initiated its 2013 'Call to Action' campaign with the launch of  Hemodialysis at Home:  A Better Way For a Better Life.  This effort will support and showcase the strength of dialyzors, care partners, physicians, nurses, patient advocates, and other renal professionals who believe patients need to have better access to the improved survival, clinical benefits and quality of life reported by many patients receiving more frequent HHD.  The primary near-term goal of the project is to ensure that these supporters are heard by government officials and that current Medicare reimbursement for HHD training is fixed so that more patients have access to this therapy.

"Patients have a right to be fully informed of all of their treatment options and to choose whichever therapy is best for them," said Joe Turk, president, North America at NxStage Medical, Inc. "Hemodialysis at Home is aimed at stepping up our call to action campaign, increasing awareness, and showcasing the strength of support for HHD among dialyzors, care partners and the renal care community.  The site is geared to attracting those who seek action and providing opportunities to engage at whatever level possible to change policies that limit patient access to this life-changing therapy."

More frequent and at home treatments made possible with HHD can allow people with kidney disease the freedom and flexibility to reclaim their lives.  In fact, in a survey, more than 90 percent of nephrologists said they would choose a home dialysis therapy for themselves if informed they needed renal replacement therapy, with HHD being the preferred option.  But surprisingly, more than 90 percent of patients undergoing dialysis in the United States are doing three-times-weekly in-center therapy, a therapy very few physicians would accept for themselves.  

Supporters of Home Hemodialysis:  A Better Way For a Better Life believe patients need to be better educated about the treatment options that exist and that Medicare payment policies should not prevent them from doing the treatment that they—and their doctors—feel is best.