Involuntary discharge from dialysis: A health care practice like no other

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 | By arlene | No Comments

Involuntary discharge from dialysis — a life-sustaining treatment — is a uniquely American phenomenon.

Source: Involuntary discharge from dialysis: A health care practice like no other

NEJM- Caught Covering Up for National Kidney Foundation–an indudstry front group | AHRP

Tuesday, January 10, 2017 | By William Tinker | No Comments

Readers of the New England Journal of Medicine should be forewarned:  The information in the pages of the NEJM is tainted by industry influence, its professional and scientific integrity are t…

Source: NEJM- Caught Covering Up for National Kidney Foundation–an indudstry front group | AHRP

Should Dialysis Workers Be Banned From Having Patients as Friends on facebook?

Friday, December 16, 2016 | By arlene | No Comments

Should Dialysis Workers Be Banned From Having Patients as Friends on facebook?

Health care workers at a Dialysis Center were told to remove dialysis patients from their friend’s list on facebook. It appears the center wants to hamper Dialysis Patients and care givers from forming relationship where they might discuss common concerns.

After the large non-profit corporations took over, the patient to dialysis technicians ratios were increased to levels that no longer afforded time for technicians to form a bond with their patients. Those bonds helped patients feel they and the care giver were a team working together for the patients benefit. Present work loads at the major for-profits barely allow time to prepare for the next patient, let alone get to know the patient.

Musician and Activist Chili Most added to Dialysis Advocates Board

Monday, October 31, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

Chili Most is a respected musician and creator of socially conscious music. His music will be featured in an upcoming movie “Stop The Violence/N Love With Love” He is one of the leaders of the Stop The Violence movement and an ordained minister. He is the host of the radio show “The Chili Most Show” weekdays and the host of a Sunday show on WVFG 107.5 FM in Union Town, Alabama. He is author of “The Queen Mother of Watts” the story of Dr. Sweet Alice Harris who has been an invited advisor and guest at The White House by several President’s. Chili’s music is available on I-Tunes.

Internationally Known Doctor and Author Robert Bear joins Board of Directors at Dialysis Advocates

Thursday, September 22, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

Dr. Robert Bear has a long history in Health Care Management in Canada and the U.S.

Practiced Medicine (Nephrology) and was a Professor of Medicine at two Canadian Academic Health Science Centers, University of Toronto & University of Alberta (Edmonton). Held a number of senior positions in both academic and health care administration in each Centre. Established successful health care consulting company (Fresnel Management Ltd), that for over 14 years has engaged in health care management consulting projects independently or with other companies in most Canadian provinces.

Author of “Sorrows Reward”. a medical novel. Invited speaker on health care in Canada and the U.S. Guest blogger on multiple sites. Currently working on a second novel. Dr. Bear’s novel shows his great concern and care for the present state of care for patients, families and the many care givers who are coping with the present RENAL system.

Continue reading “Internationally Known Doctor and Author Robert Bear joins Board of Directors at Dialysis Advocates” »

CMS examines inappropriate steering of people eligible for Medicare or Medicaid into Marketplace plans

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued a request for information seeking public comment on concerns that some health care providers and provider-affiliated organizations may be steering people eligible for, or receiving, Medicare and/or Medicaid benefits into Affordable Care Act-compliant individual market plans, including Health Insurance Marketplace plans, for the purpose of obtaining higher reimbursement rates. Go here for the whole story. https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2016-Press-releases-items/2016-08-18-2.html

Dialysis Providers Pay Out Over $2 Billion in Settlements

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

It will probably come as no surprise that most of the major renal care facilities in the US have come under investigation for fraud in recent years, including Fresenius Medical Care America, DaVita Inc. Renal Care Group, Quest Diagnostics, and Bone Care International.

A partial list of settlements paid since 2000

Dialysis Advocates Speaks at 2016 Judicial Violence Symposium in New York

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

Dialysis Advocates was an invited speaker at the Judicial Violence, Race, and Moral Imperative Symposium held July 31 thru August 2nd in Harlem. The Symposium was a gathering of Pastors and Civil Rights Leaders concerned with the current state of Civil Rights in America. Keynote speaker was Danny Glover actor and activist.

Arlene Mullin’s of Dialysis Advocates, powerful presentation on the plight of minorities and the disadvantaged in Dialysis care centers along with the unjust termination dialysis care of these patients was greeted with outrage and shock by those in attendance. Prior to Ms. Mullins presentation a short draft of a future documentary by documentarian Gordon Skinner who has filmed patients’ personal stories of fear and retaliation was very moving. With disbelief of what they were seeing, asking questions and realized that this is real. We now have a National Shout Out to alert Civil Rights Leaders and Activist in their communities Nationwide of the Dialysis

March of over a Thousand for Civil Rights July 30th held in Harlem.

We were invited to attend the March in Harlem. The photo is of those that are recognized as leaders.

UnitedHealthcare Sues Dialysis Chain Over Billing – The New York Times

Monday, July 4, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

The suit accuses the chain of pushing patients out of government programs and into UnitedHealthcare plans, which pay more for dialysis treatment.

Source: UnitedHealthcare Sues Dialysis Chain Over Billing – The New York Times

CMS 5 Star Rating System Misleading- Not Good for Patients, Clinics or Nephrologist

Saturday, May 7, 2016 | By William Tinker | No Comments

Several recent studies and papers point to problems in the much heralded CMS/Medicare 5 Star rating system which is meant to rate the quality of patient care and overall clinic standing using a Star Rating System with ratings from 1 to 5 stars. Articles written by Medical Staff, Administrators point to this system being generally ineffective in  giving real, workable numbers. The results are used by CMS in determining payments for care and are suppose to allow patients to rate overall care at their clinic using Dialysis Facility Compare.

The problem is that it only takes few wrongly or under or overstated figures to skew the results making them fairly unusable.

Additional stars in the rating system for dialysis facilities may not reflect increases in quality of care, according to an analysis presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2016 Spring Clinical Meetings

A concern of patients and those advocating for them is that clinics may feel pressure to rid themselves of those patient who are lowering their star rating.