The fight to preserve access to life-sustaining care
In non-profit kidney care, every dollar counts toward fulfilling our mission and ensuring access to life-sustaining care. We recently had the opportunity to voice our concern with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) proposed reimbursement rate increase of 1.75% for 2024. This rate does not reflect inflation and will ultimately adversely impact our vulnerable patient population.
Northwest Kidney Centers President and CEO Rebecca Fox joined CEOs from eight for-profit and non-profit dialysis providers to meet with members of the Domestic Policy Council to ask for their support in requesting CMS review and adjust their forecast for ESRD Prospective Payment System (PPS).
Several meeting participants shared how the lack of funding is forcing them to close centers, limiting access to care, especially for marginalized populations. While Northwest Kidney Centers does not plan to close any of its clinics, we’re concerned this low reimbursement rate will jeopardize our ability to care for all the vulnerable patients who rely on us for their dialysis.
We believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege, which is why no patient is turned away. This funding decision will increase demand for our services putting financial strain on our organization, which has seen its expenses go up due to inflation and a staffing shortage because of a competitive labor market.
To ensure access and promote equitable care, there must be reasonable funding amounts to cover treatment costs. We are hopeful our efforts will make a difference and the reimbursement rate will be increased.