CMS New Patient Packets
All new dialysis patients receive the ESRD New Patient Orientation Packet. This packet is mailed directly to the patient after the Network receives and processes the CMS 2728 form. It contains valuable information and materials relevant to patient treatment and care.
It includes:
- A letter from The Renal Network, Inc. with a list of vocational rehabilitation offices and contact information for Network resources.
- A brochure about The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) which offers patient and community services and publishes a wide selection of educational materials. Membership information is available online.
- A resources pamphlet from The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) with membership information. AAKP offers educational materials and information on how to improve the health and well-being of chronic kidney disease (CKD), hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis patients and transplant recipients. Membership information is also available online.
And the following CMS material:
- The Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services (PDF, 588.82 KB) Revised 2/2011. This booklet has information about Medicare coverage for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).This publication is also viewable in Spanish (PDF, 225 KB) Revised 5/2011.
- You Can Live: Your Medicare Guide for Living with Kidney Failure (PDF,6.83 MB) Revised 2/2007. This booklet has information about treating kidney failure, making the most of treatments, and living a healthier lifestyle. This publication is also viewable in Spanish (PDF, 1.44 MB) Revised 5/2007.
- Vascular Access is a Hemodialysis Patient's Lifeline (PDF, 373 KB) This reference card provides important information about vascular access options to discuss with your doctor. This publication is also viewable in Spanish (PDF, 309 KB)
- Preparing for Emergencies: A Guide for Patients on Dialysis (PDF, 199 KB) Revised 10/2007. This booklet provides helpful tips on preparing an emergency kit of supplies and medications, how to disinffect water and diet when dialysis is delayed. This publication is also viewable in Spanish (PDF, 1.60 MB) Revised 10/2003.
- A brochure on Dialysis Facility Compare (PDF,117.38 KB) Revised 9/2008. This brochure explains how to use Dialysis Facility Compare to get quality and facility information for Medicare certified dialysis facilities. This publication is also viewable in Spanish Revised 8/2008.
In addition, The Renal Network, Inc. encourages every facility to supplement this information with a facility new patient packet that can be given to patients and their families soon after starting on dialysis. The facility new patient packet should include a copy of the facility patient rights and responsibilities as well as the facility grievance policy.