The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a new rule governing health assessment, patient outcomes and physician practices at kidney dialysis centers around the country.

Under the new provisions, which AAKP was instrumental in getting in place, facilities will be required to fully evaluate the health of a patient before treatment begins, and form an "inter-disciplinary team" to establish a care plan and evaluate patient outcomes. Facilities are also required to develop quality assessment and performance improvement programs.

The final rule is on display at the Office of the Federal Register.  The first CMS End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) focused Open Door Forum of 2008 is scheduled for April 17, 2008, 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The RSVP deadline is April 15, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT. Please visit the AAKP Web site, www.aakp.org, for more information about AAKP's stance on policy issues facing kidney patients.

This article originally appeared in the April 2008 issue of AAKP Public Policy Briefing.