Dialysis Drug Expansion Sets Up Costly Overhaul for Facilities

A Biden administration plan to begin covering oral medications for end-stage renal disease under Medicare Part B starting in 2025 has dialysis centers anticipating they will require extensive staffing and infrastructure overhauls, according to a Government Accountability Office study released Thursday.

The oral drugs, known as phosphate binders, are used to treat bone density disorders that arise in patients with severe kidney damage.

Currently, patients experiencing end-stage renal disease are covered under a bundled benefit under Medicare Part B that includes reimbursement for most dialysis-related services administered in an outpatient setting. This includes coverage for services such as skilled nursing, ...