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The Dialysis Patient Access to Integrated-care, Empowerment, Nephrologists, and Treatment Services (PATIENTS) Demonstration Act, would deliver high-quality, integrated care to patients receiving dialysis for the last stage of kidney failure called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The bi-partisan proposal would establish an integrated care program where interdisciplinary teams, led by a nephrologist, provide holistic management for all of the patientÄ¢¹½´«Ã½™s healthcare needs.
What is value based and integrated care?
Value based care isÌýan evolvedÌýmodel of healthcare growing in popularity because it rewards providers for the quality of care rather than the quantityÌýof servicesÌýdelivered. It is often used interchangeably with the terms integrated care or care coordination. Value based care emphasizes patient outcomes by encouraging efficiency and effectiveness and is a replacement for traditional fee-for-service models that focus simply onÌývolume. This new effort has the triple goal of improving care forÌýpatients, reducing total costsÌýand improving the way we manage large populations with certain diseases.
The CentersÌýforÌýMedicare & Medicaid ServicesÌý(CMS) has tested value based programs for ESRD. These programs have shown promising results toward improving care while reducing cost to the government. ByÌýincentingÌýproviders to work more cooperatively and holistically, patients will stay healthierÌýand have fewerÌýhospitalizations.
How would the Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act work?
The program would utilize the dialysis facility as a central command point for patients to access coordinated healthcare services. This practical approach to care delivery would significantly improve health outcomes and increase quality of life for ESRD patientsÌýwhile reducing costs to the system through reducedÌýhospitalizations and readmissions.
The Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration ActÌýwill helpÌýdrive better outcomesÌýby improving support forÌýtransportation issues,Ìýnutrition,Ìývision andÌýdental care and comorbidities,Ìýsuch as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension.ÌýThrough a team approach that focuses on the whole patient, we will make a positive impact on this complex patient population with ESRD.
Why would anyone oppose this idea?
While participationÌýwould be voluntary for both patients and providers, there are some industry stakeholders who are invested in the old fee-for-service status quo and are working to stop or delay passage of the act. We must look to new innovations that improve healthcare and lower costs.
In certain value based programs, we have already demonstrated a reduction in hospitalizations of 30 percent, lowering the total cost of care for this patient population. We should now expand thisÌýproven,Ìýnew model of care embraced by most in the healthcare industry. ThatÄ¢¹½´«Ã½™s why we are excited to see bi-partisan support in Congress for the Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act.
