Renal Business Today

Medicare

New Kidney Care Rule Continues Implementation of Complex ESRD Payment Overhaul

WASHINGTON—Kidney Care Partners (KCP) commended the Administration for the latest round of federal regulations implementing the massive overhaul of the Medicare end-stage renal disease (ESRD) benefit but cautioned against additional changes until the overhaul is complete. ...More
November 6, 2012
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
Medicare ESRD Program Celebrates 40 Years of Saving Lives

When the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center (SAKC) opened its doors in January 1962, there were only seven people with what is now called end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Seattle and 20 patients in the whole United States who had access to dialysis treatments. ...More
October 31, 2012
Posted in Articles, Government & Regulation
Billing Solutions: Medicare Advantage and ESRD PPS Update

By now most of you have heard about the end-stage renal disease perspective payment system (ESRD PPS) rule changes for 2013 and everyone has heard of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. However, surprising to me is that one of the items included with the proposed rule has ...More
October 25, 2012
Posted in Articles, Government & Regulation
Straube Discusses ESRD Future at NRAA Conference

If you ask a nurse, physician, administrator, technician, or anyone else in the renal community they will all tell you that there is always room for change and improvement for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to receive the best ...More
October 23, 2012
Posted in Articles, Practice Management
People with Medicare Have More High Quality Choices

WASHINGTON—Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that people with Medicare have more high quality choices and the performance of Medicare Advantage plans is improving. HHS also released the 2013 quality ratings for Medicare health and drug ...More
October 15, 2012
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
Medicare Fraud Strike Force Charges 91 Individuals For Approximately $430 Million In False Billing

WASHINGTON – Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven cities have led to charges against 91 individuals – including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals – for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $429.2 ...More
October 5, 2012
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
Renal Billing: Back to the Future GAO Report on ESRD Oral-Only Drugs

This month we delve into the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) concerns regarding the future of our end-stage renal disease (ESRD) payment system, adding perspective to our national discussion regarding health care reform in general, and dialysis payment in ...More
September 28, 2012
Posted in Articles, Government & Regulation
ACA to Save Americans with Medicare Money Through 2022

WASHINGTON—Because of the health care law—the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—the average person with traditional Medicare will save $5,000 from 2010 to 2022, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ...More
September 21, 2012
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
New Data Shows Strong Need for Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Legislation

WASHINGTON—Data from a recent survey of Dialysis Patient Citizens’ (DPC) kidney disease patient membership highlights the strong need for swift Congressional action on the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2011 (H.R. ...More
September 19, 2012
Posted in News, Practice Management
Medicare Advantage Remains Strong

WASHINGTON—Enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program is projected to increase by 11 percent in the next year and premiums will remain steady, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010, ...More
September 19, 2012
Posted in News