New Government Initiatives to Reward Self Care In Center Dialysis

On September 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced their final rule for End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices (ETC) Model. This document previews the changes that will go into effect on January 1, 2021, impacting kidney disease patients and healthcare providers across the United States.

What is the ETC Model?

The ETC initiative is based on a promising hypothesis that home dialysis and kidney transplantation aren’t just better for the patient, they offer significant savings to government payers.

Nephrologists and other healthcare providers will be able to share in these savings by participating in the ETC Model. Credits are available for nephrologists and ERSD facilities for every claim on treatments like home dialysis and kidney transplantation.

CMS to Offer Incentives for In Center Self Dialysis

For the first time, CMS will not only incentivize home dialysis, but in center self dialysis as well.

“[CMS] will measure home dialysis rates for ESRD facilities and Managing Clinicians in the ETC Model by calculating the number of dialysis treatment beneficiary years during the [Model Year] (MY) in which attributed beneficiaries received dialysis at home, plus one half the total number of dialysis treatment beneficiary years during the MY in which attributed beneficiaries received self dialysis in center.”

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This development shows that the government sees in center self dialysis as a promising steppingstone towards home dialysis, and a beneficial practice in its own right.

Unique Benefits of In Center Self Dialysis

In center self dialysis offers many of the same benefits as home dialysis:

• Control and dignity for the patient
• Improved outcomes (reduced mortality and hospitalization rates)
• Increased access to dialysis based on the patient’s needs and schedule

Additionally, in center self dialysis offers several unique benefits:

• Educational opportunities for patients to learn and improve their dialysis skills
• Community environment where caregivers and patients are all working together
• Empowerment and control for patients who are unable to perform dialysis at home

A Step in the Right Direction

Last year the Advancing American Kidney Health (AAKH) Initiative announced an ambitious plan to move 80% of kidney disease patients to home dialysis or transplant options. Today, home therapy only accounts for 12% of all dialysis patients in the U.S.

The ETC initiative is the latest step towards this goal. It’s a well-defined move in the right direction, rewarding nephrologist and healthcare providers who give their patients more control, choices, and, education.

Meanwhile, recent technology advancements also reflect a shift towards patient empowerment. New dialysis machines from Outset Medical, Quanta, and CVS promise portability and ease of use for home dialysis patients.

The movement is gaining momentum, and it’s the perfect time to get on board.

We’re Here to Help

The landscape of American kidney care is changing for the better, and we are here to help you navigate new government initiatives like ETC Model and Kidney Care First. We’ve successfully empowered hundreds of patients and healthcare professionals, and we can help you too.

Empowered Kidney Care can help you create or grow your in center self dialysis program to open up new revenue opportunities for your practice. Don’t wait until January 1, 2021. Proactive nephrologists are laying the foundations right now to get a head start and stay competitive.

Contact us today to learn how we can help your practice. Together we can save lives and improve experience for patients and caregivers alike.