Conditions for Coverage (CFC)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that will modernize the Medicare Conditions for Coverage (CFC) for the nation’s dialysis centers and promote higher quality of care for patients receiving dialysis.

The final regulation will enhance the quality of care available to more than 336,000 Medicare beneficiaries with End-State Renal Disease (ESRD) who receive dialysis treatment from more than 4,700 Medicare-approved renal dialysis facilities across the U.S. The regulation reflects important clinical and scientific advances in dialysis technology and standards of care practices. The regulation also updates the current requirements that were first published in 1976.

Dialysis facilities must meet CFC to be certified under the Medicare program. Facilities will have 180 days from April 15, 2008 to be in compliance with the new rules.

Conditions for Coverage (CFC) - Please note the complete document is 625 pages in length; the actual rule begins on page 557.

ESRD Program Interpretive Guidelines

ESRD Update: Transitioning to New ESRD Conditions for Coverage - Student manual and resources from training seminar on September 23 - 26, 2008, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Kidney Disease and Quality of Life (KDQOL™-36) Survey

Based on the requirements in the Conditions for Coverage, and the health-related quality of life survey that CMS has adopted as a new CPM, a facility must administer the KDQOL™-36 at least once per year. The KDQOL™-36 is a multi-purpose, short-form health survey with only 36 questions that includes physical & mental functioning and kidney-specific information.

The Medical Education Institute, Inc. (MEI)/Life Options (www.lifeoptions.org) designed an online version of the KDQOL™-36 for social workers to gain practice with the tool, see the questions, subscales, norms, and preview the reports and evidence-based suggestions for improving scores. Take the survey here - as a hypothetical patient. Note: Currently, the online survey does not save data. It was created as a learning tool for renal professionals. However, a subsequent project is planned for late winter that will let facilities score patient and facility data and track it on your unit’s computer.

NANT Offers Study Package for Dialysis Technicians

The New Conditions for Coverage require all dialysis technicians be certified by January 2010. The National Association of Nephrology Technicians (NANT) has prepared a special Study Package for technicians to use in preparing for certification. This Study Package provides a $40 savings compared to purchasing the books separately. NANT offers the best exam prep books for technicians.

To order the Study Package, please visit the NANT web-store at www.dialysistech.net