1. Conditions for coverage for end-stage renal disease facilities


2. ESRD Stakeholder Meetings

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be hosting a series of End Stage Renal Disease Stakeholder Meetings to discuss the End Stage Renal Disease) Network (NW) Program. The purpose of these meetings is to provide an opportunity for interested stakeholders to provide vital input and recommendations on moving forward with the program.
 
The Office of Clinical Standards and Quality (OCSQ) is currently conducting an evaluation of the ESRD NW Program. The results and recommendations developed from the evaluation will provide steps to improving the Program. OCSQ recognizes this assessment is essential to moving the Program forward to meet the present needs and demands of Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD, as well as transitioning the Program to achieve even greater strength in the following areas:
 
•    Value
•    Attribution
•    Oversight
•    Improved Outcomes

Since 2006, OCSQ has been engaged in redesigning the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program. The redesign efforts have been essential in developing the framework for the new contract period. These changes are captured in the recently released 9th Statement of Work (SOW) Request for Proposal (RFP). The changes are not limited to the RFP. Changes extend to several other areas, including the principles under which the SOW is developed, fundamental methods of contracting (including methods of contract awards), and, especially, contract evaluation and monitoring. Our goal is to apply these concepts to the ESRD NW Program. We welcome your feedback during the 2008 Stakeholder Meetings to discuss how these changes can be applied to the Program.


Each meeting will be a participatory dialogue focused on key questions; we encourage you to review the materials in advance of each meeting and come prepared to share your feedback and recommendations during the dialogue session at the meeting. To assist you in determining the appropriate representatives, we have enclosed the agendas and questions for each stakeholder session.
 
You may access up-to-date information on these meetings online, under the section titled "Events." In order to attend, all participants must register.

If you have questions regarding these meetings, please send an email to ESRDNW_StakeholderMeeting2008@cms.hhs.gov