Your Medicare Advantage plan comparison is just one step away!
Compare plans
or
On the phone
Our licensed insurance agents can help you compare plans and keep your current doctor.
TTY 711
Your Medicare Advantage plan comparison is just one step away!
On the phone
Our licensed insurance agents can help you compare plans and keep your current doctor.
Published August 5, 2020
Follow our Medicare Coronavirus News page for related information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on Medicare beneficiaries.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changes to Medicare coverage of in-home dialysis services for beneficiaries with kidney failure, or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Join our email series to receive your free Medicare guide and the latest information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
By clicking "Sign me up!” you are agreeing to receive emails from MedicareAdvantage.com.
Speak with a licensed insurance agent
The proposed changes would increase Medicare payments for new and innovative equipment and supplies used for dialysis treatment, in hopes of encouraging the further development of home dialysis machines.
According to a press release from the CMS announcing the proposal, more than 85% of Original Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD travel to a dialysis facility at least three times a week for treatment, spending at least 12 hours per week at the facility.
The proposal seeks to add home dialysis machines to the list of items that can qualify for TPNIES – or the transitional add-on payment adjustment for new and innovative equipment and supplies – that was introduced last year.
Data shows that among Medicare beneficiaries, people with ESRD have the highest rate of hospitalization from COVID-19. This is largely a result of these beneficiaries having compromised immune systems and having to regularly leave home to visit a medical facility for dialysis.
The new CMS proposal intends to help ESRD patients receive dialysis treatment from the safety of their own home.
“Today’s action represents a sorely needed course direction, making it easier for ESRD facilities to make new and innovative home dialysis machines available to patients who need them. In the midst of a deadly pandemic President Trump’s call for increased access to home dialysis has never been more urgent.” - Seema Verma, CMS Administrator
The proposal adds to previous actions taken by the CMS to boost care for beneficiaries with ESRD and kidney failure:
Learn more about how Medicare is helping beneficiaries during the coronavirus pandemic.
Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.
Christian has written hundreds of articles for MedicareAvantage.com that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.
Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.
A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@tzhealthmedia.com.
Compare your Medigap plan options by visiting MedicareSupplement.com
Visit site
