In this article, we aim to cover some of the positives of dialysis through CMS as well as some areas for potential improvement.
CMS does, in our opinion, a good job of monitoring and regulating dialysis facilities throughout the United States. All facilities must meet standards and safety measures set by CMS to be eligible to receive funds from Medicare and Medicaid payments. Patient outcomes, infection rates, and patient experiences are just a few examples. You can review many topics for each facility on our dialysis facility profiles.
CMS can pay or help pay for treatments, medications, and, more recently, bundled payments that simplify everything into one charge.
Providers are also encouraged to teach patients how to manage their health, fluid intake, and to ensure that patients understand their options and the information provided to them.
Areas of concern from facilities often range from the stringent regulations; many believe the amount reimbursed by CMS is too little and may result in facilities shutting down, thus increasing the burden on patients, especially in rural areas, who have to travel further to find care.