CMS finalizes incentive program for dialysis centers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule outlining a quality incentive program to link Medicare dialysis payments to performance standards. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, CMS will measure dialysis centers' performance in two categories -- anemia management and hemodialysis adequacy -- using three metrics it already collects. CMS will measure anemia management by the percentage of patients whose hemoglobin levels were less than 10 g/dL or greater than 12 g/dL. The agency will measure hemodialysis adequacy by the percentage of patients achieving a urea reduction ratio of 65% or more. Failure to meet or exceed standards for these measures will lead to payment decreases of up to 2%. ...