What incentives are there for nephrologists to encourage patients to do home dialysis?
Home dialysis patients have outcomes as good as, or better than, in-center hemodialysis patients. In addition, physicians are paid $500 (subject to the deductible and coinsurance) when a patient completes home dialysis training, to cover such services as: • Directing and participating in training • Reviewing the family and home status, environment, and counseling and training family members • Reviewing training materials If a patient does not complete training, this physician fee is prorated at $20 per training session for all types of home training. Physicians can also be paid $20 per re-training session up to $500 if there is a change in the type of dialysis the patient does or the equipment the patient uses. For physician reimbursement for training and retraining, see Chapter 8, §150 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual.
