Improvements in how Medicare pays kidney dialysis centers could more efficiently deliver services to Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to a report to Congress by CMS. The report describes the steps to be taken by Congress to implement a fully bundled prospective payment system (PPS) for dialysis services.
Currently, Medicare pays for certain dialysis services under a partial bundled rate, referred to as the composite rate. The report discusses establishing a base treatment payment rate for the services related to a dialysis session, including the services in the current composite rate as well as items that are billed separately.
The president’s budget for FY09 contains a legislative proposal to implement a fully bundled ESRD PPS beginning Jan. 1, 2011. Download the report.
