The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed boosting payments to dialysis providers in 2024 in a draft regulation released Monday.
The agency is proposing to raise the base rate for dialysis services provided to Medicare beneficiaries by $4.42, or 1.7%, to $269.99. It is estimated that total payments will increase by 2.6% for hospital-based end-stage renal disease facilities and 1.6% for freestanding facilities.
the proposed payment bump is smaller than 3.1% increment provider seen this year.
Under the proposed rule, the agency would also update the acute kidney injury dialysis payment rate for 2024 to $269.99.
This transitional drug add-on will increase payments for certain new kidney dialysis drugs and biologic products after the payment adjustment period ends, with the aim of helping facilities adopt the treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.
In addition, the agency is seeking to address the cost of providing care to pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease. As it collects more data, the agency is proposing a transitional add-on payment adjustment of 30% of the per-treatment payment amount for pediatric kidney dialysis services over three years beginning in 2024.
The draft regulation includes proposals to require providers to report the amount of time beneficiaries spend receiving hemodialysis treatment at the center and the amount of renal dialysis drugs and biological products left over from single-use packages paid for by CMS .
The agency is soliciting input on potential rulemaking regarding low-volume patient adjustments and promoting potential payments for geographically isolated facilities. It proposes to add some reporting measures over the next few years aimed at assessing facilities’ commitments to health equity and promoting screening for social drivers of health.
The agency is accepting comments through August 25.