Policy and Politics News

The passage of the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 includes a measure that expands eligibility for Medicare Advantage plans to patients with ESRD by 2021. As these beneficiaries become a larger share of Medicare Advantage plans’ total enrollment, there will be unintended revenue and cost inconsistencies for plans and providers. Based on the calculations presented here, Medicare Advantage ESRD enrollment could gradually increase from 14% to more than 41% of all payers during the next 4 years.

California Governor Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. has vetoed legislation that would have restricted dialysis provider profits and limited organizations like the American Kidney Fund from paying the premiums of patients receiving dialysis treatments.

Three kidney patient organizations are urging Congress to pass legislation that would fund treatment programs for opioid addiction by using Medicare savings generated by an increase in the length of time patients on dialysis can remain on commercial insurance.

The California state Assembly approved legislation on Aug. 29 that will restrict dialysis provider profits and limit organizations like the American Kidney Fund from paying the premiums of patients receiving dialysis treatment in the state.

A long-anticipated set of rules on how dialysis providers can provide treatments to patients living in skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes was released by CMS on Aug. 10 as part of an update to guidelines used by Medicare surveyors to inspect dialysis facilities.

Health care plans, unions and business groups sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate on Aug. 20 objecting to legislation that would extend the Medicare secondary payer provision for ESRD treatment by an additional 3 months to help cover costs for the opioid crisis.

The FDA has approved the first oral treatment of Fabry disease for use in adults with a genetic mutation deemed to be “amenable” to the therapy.

Organizers of a union-backed initiative to limit dialysis provider profits in Ohio have submitted additional signatures that should get the measure on the Nov. 6 election ballot.

On July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protect Medical Innovation Act by a vote of 238-132. This bipartisan legislation permanently repeals the excise tax on medical devices described in the Affordable Care Act.

Nephrologists would see less than a percentage point change in Medicare payments for dialysis services in 2019 based on a proposed rule CMS released on July 11.