This bill amends Medicare to cover staff-assisted home dialysis, which provides professional nursing support to help dialysis patients perform treatment at home rather than in a facility. The coverage applies to patients who are new to home dialysis, returning to it after hospitalization, or temporarily unable to perform dialysis independently due to illness or injury. The bill limits initial coverage to 90 days (extendable by up to 60 additional days), though patients who are blind, have cognitive impairments, or have mobility-limiting conditions can receive longer-term assistance. Dialysis providers will receive an additional payment from Medicare to cover the cost of the qualified staff providing this assistance, with payment amounts to be determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The bill also requires dialysis facilities to educate all patients about home dialysis options and provide training through various methods including in-person instruction, telehealth, and group settings. Additionally, it mandates a federal study within two years examining racial and rural disparities in home dialysis access and requires development of a patient decision-making tool by the end of 2025 to help patients choose their preferred dialysis setting and treatment method.
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