A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 observational studies involving over 1,000,000 incident dialysis patients found that peritoneal dialysis (PD) and in-center hemodialysis provide equivalent overall survival for...more
The final rule for the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule was released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 31, and it appears to have been finalized almost exactly as it was proposed. ...more
The Trump administration is withholding funding for multiple CDC programs, including initiatives on diabetes, chronic kidney disease, youth violence prevention, gun injury research, and tobacco use, according to a Wall Street...more
An investigation highlighted concerns about for-profit dialysis clinics in the U.S., which are linked to worse patient outcomes and reduced transplant access. DaVita and Fresenius, controlling over 60% of dialysis centers,...more
DOJ scores first victory in criminal antitrust labor market trial - A federal jury convicted a former home healthcare staffing executive in Las Vegas for orchestrating a three-year wage-fixing conspiracy targeting...more
On March 12, 2025, the CMS announced its intent to terminate the ESRD Treatment Choices (“ETC”) Model as of December 31, 2025, two years ahead of its original end date....more
A New Hope in Kidney Transplants: The Promise of Xenotransplantation - Joe’s struggle for a kidney transplant highlights a dire reality: donor shortages are leaving countless patients in limbo. Enter Dr. PK, a pioneering...more
Happy New Year and welcome to our 2024 Trade Secret and Restrictive Covenant Year in Review. 2024 was less stressful and dramatic than most people feared at the start of the year, but there still were some significant rulings...more
Senators not giving up on reversing CMS physician payment cuts during lame duck session - Forty-one U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle are urging the upper chamber’s leadership to allow a bill to be introduced...more
RPA Perspective: 2025 Medicare Fee Schedule and ESRD PPS Final Rules—Highlights for Nephrology - The final rule for the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule was released on November 1, and the highlights from the rule...more
The House Ways and Means Committee has postponed discussions on several healthcare bills, including those related to physician pay, due to scheduling conflicts and disagreements over legislative language. This delay affects...more
As value-based care (VBC) models continue to grow across our nation’s health system and specifically within different specialties like nephrology, the costs and challenges of maintaining these models continue to rise. In...more
Fresenius hiring Ascension Capital exec to head care delivery - The appointment of Craig Cordola as CEO of the dialysis company’s care delivery segment takes effect Jan. 1. He was at Ascension Capital for the past six...more
On Oct. 27, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that will increase payments to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities in calendar year (CY) 2024. The ESRD prospective payment system...more
FTC, DoJ propose changes to HSR Act for more effective, efficient merger reviews - The FTC, along with the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division, proposed changes to the premerger notification form and...more
NY non-compete ban still receiving pushback as Governor waits to sign off - While NY Governor Kathy Hochul waits to sign off on one of the country’s toughest bans on non-compete agreements, many lobby groups from the...more
Benesch: NLRB decision overturns use of ‘entrepreneurial opportunity’ super factor for classifying employees - Benesch explains the labor board’s decision retains the 10-point test to determine who can be considered an...more
The shift in health care from a retrospective fee for service (“FFS”) model to a value based care (“VBC”) model is growing across our nation’s health system and different specialties, including nephrology. VBC models in...more
Benesch: MN ban on non-compete agreements includes carveout for business sale, dissolution - Benesch Law notes the bill only awaits the signature of MN’s Governor and could become law as early as July 1. It would prevent...more
On March 22, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued revised Guidance and Survey Process for Reviewing Home Dialysis Services in a Nursing Home (Rev QSO-18-24-ESRD) to State Survey Agency...more
MedPAC recommends no additional increase in payments for dialysis in 2024 - MedPAC’s report on outpatient dialysis services recommends Congress not increase Medicare payments for dialysis services next year beyond the...more
On March 22, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated guidance for home dialysis services performed in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home (the Updated Guidance). CMS first issued...more
On March 22, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) updated its guidance and survey process for home dialysis services in nursing homes. The updated guidance is based on comments, questions, and feedback...more
ME trial reminiscent of DaVita anti-poaching case that also ended in acquittal; DOJ strategy questioned - In Apr. 2022, juries in TX and CO acquitted healthcare companies charged by the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. In the CO...more
Correction to our January 31, 2023 newsletter article, “Dialysis Provider Satellite Healthcare Reports Data Breach Affecting Nearly 100k Patients”: Media Statement, Satellite Healthcare - In January 2023, Satellite...more