Within the United States, health insurance for all individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is covered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These results were taken from analyses using 100% of the national ESRD population data (Saran R, et al. Earlier pre-ESRD care throughout the United States is associated with better survival for dialysis patients in their first year of ESRD. J Am Soc Nephrol 18: 299A, 2007).

Beginning in June 2005, information related to pre-ESRD care was collected on all new ESRD patients via the Medical Evidence Form (CMS-2728). In November 2007, researchers presented “Earlier Pre-ESRD Care Throughout the U.S. is Associated with Better Survival for Dialysis Patients in Their First Year of ESRD” (Saran et al., 2007) at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. Utilizing national CMS data and data collected on the form CMS-2728 for 52,277 incident ESRD patients between June 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005 who survived to day 90 of ESRD treatment, timing of pre-ESRD nephrology care, dietitian care and EPO treatment were investigated. A patient was considered under the care of a nephrologist, kidney dietitian, or EPO treated if their form indicated “Yes” in the check box for the corresponding question; if the box “No” was checked, the patient was classified as none; if the box “Unknown” was checked, the patient was classified as unknown. Timing of pre-ESRD care was assigned according to the check box on the form indicating “6-12 months,” “>12 months,” or assigned “<6 months” if the form indicated treatment but the length of treatment box was left unchecked.