American Renal Associates Reports 10 Percent Increase in Operating Revenues in Q1 

The increase in operating revenue was due to treatment growth and reimbursement of certain pharmaceuticals under the Medicare ESRD PPS transitional drug add-on payment adjustment. American Renal Associates reported dialysis treatments increased 5 percent in Q1 over the same time period last year.

Dialysis Caregivers, Patients and Physicians Oppose Proposed Ohio Constitutional Amendment

The proposal seeks to pass an amendment similar to the ballot issue in California this fall. The amendment would mandate revenue limits for Ohio dialysis clinics and “require rebates to private health insurance companies should revenues exceed those limits.” The Ohio Renal Association describes it as deceptive and unnecessary.

American Renal Associates and United Healthcare Reach Settlement

American Renal Associates will pay United Healthcare $32 million. The payment will settle legal actions filed by United Healthcare in Massachusetts and Florida over American Renal Associates’ business practices.

Source for all above:: Nephrology News & Issues

Patients Aged 80 or Over Have Better Outcomes When Referred to Nephrologist Before Dialysis

A study found better survival rates among patients aged 80 or over who were referred to a nephrologist before they began dialysis. “The 1-year mortality rate was 36.4% in referred patients who had emergency dialysis compared with 11.5% among patients with planned dialysis,” according to Renal & Urology News.

Source: Renal & Urology News