Medicare would cover palliative dialysis for hospice patients under new bill

What does this do?

This bill would let Medicare pay for "palliative dialysis" — dialysis used for comfort, not to cure — while a patient is also in hospice care. Medicare would cover up to 10 of these sessions, which could take place at a facility or at home. Starting in 2029, the government would review whether that 10-session limit should be adjusted based on real-world data and feedback.

Who does it affect?

This affects Medicare patients who have end-stage renal disease, were already on dialysis, and have chosen to enter hospice care. It also affects dialysis clinics, hospice providers, and Medicare administrators who would set up the new payment rules.

Why does it matter?

Right now, Medicare rules generally require patients to give up coverage for treatments related to their illness when they choose hospice, which makes it hard to receive dialysis and hospice care at the same time. This bill would create a separate payment system for dialysis facilities providing comfort-focused care, so those facilities would be paid outside of the normal hospice payment bundle.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• New Medicare dialysis payment system
• Outside standard hospice bundle

Where does it stand?