KidneyTalk Podcast

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Week of June 5, 2007

Are We Ready to Bundle?

Round 1! Be concerned, get involved, and be heard!

Here in beautiful Palm Springs, CA at the Annual California Dialysis Council Meeting Lori and Stephen are joined by Dr. Mike Lazarus, Medical Director for Fresenius Medical Care and Dr. Peter Crooks, Director of the Renal Program of Kaiser Permanente in Southern California.

So, just what is bundling? Why be concerned? Why get involved? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Bundling is a type of reimbursement policy that will affect kidney patients. Dr. Lazarus explains “The concept of bundling is to put more things into the payment.” Government sees bundling as a way to control costs. Lori compares it to a buffet, “and we have to make sure we don’t leave dessert out.” Patients need to understand if bundling takes place, how it will affect them and their dialysis facility.

Lori says it best; “Get out, and speak, and stomp, and yell! This is YOUR life, this is YOUR system. YOU have to make it the best it is.”

Tune in and learn more about Bundling, the questions to ask your healthcare professional, and help educate your community.

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