AAKP News of the
Month: Become an AAKP Legacy Donor!
The Samuel Orenstein Legacy Donor program is a way to contribute to positive change within AAKP on a monthly basis. Your tax-deductible gift helps support AAKP's educational material, advocacy and its community awareness programs that help improve the lives of kidney patients and their families.
Legacy Donors receive special recognition in aakpRENALIFE, a free membership* (with a monthly donation of $30 or more a month) and special invitations to programs and events hosted in your area.
For more information about the Samuel Orenstein Legacy Donor program, please visit the AAKP Web site or contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP. |
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| CMS Proposes Bundling Payment System for Dialysis Patients |
You may or may not have heard about some of the recent health care issues affecting the kidney community. In September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued a proposed bundle affecting individuals who are on dialysis. AAKP has been involved in many discussions and its Public Policy Committee has spent time reviewing the document to assess its affect on patient care.
AAKP's concern is that this new bundled payment could limit access to care for patients who might inadvertently decrease the bundled reimbursement. A patient who medically requires more previously unbundled drugs and/or diagnostic studies may not be accepted for treatment in facilities trying to maximize their margin. Any system that links financial incentives or financial disincentives with limiting access to health care for certain types of patients is easily abused by cherry picking and requires thorough confirmation of self reported performance measures.
You can read AAKP's verbal comment from the Town Hall Meeting of October 23, 2009. AAKP is also formalizing a written response. If you would like to share your comments with AAKP, please send an e-mail to policy@aakp.org. AAKP encourages you to share your thoughts and experiences with CMS. The deadline for comments has been extended until December 16, 2009. |
| Online Tools Make Comparing Medicare's 2010 Drug and Health Plans Easier |
 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced people with Medicare and family members can begin to review their 2010 coverage options through Medicare's improved online tools. Beneficiaries will find several new enhancements on the Medicare Health Options Compare and Prescription Drug Plan Finder located at www.medicare.gov.
Improvements to the plan ratings, search features and plan coverage descriptions will make it easier for beneficiaries to compare their drug and health plan coverage for 2010. Beneficiaries will be able to make changes to their Medicare health and drug coverage during the open enrollment period, November 15 - December 31.
People without Web access can get the same information provided by the online plan comparison tools by calling 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or by contacting their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program office. |
| Impaired Kidney Function Linked to Cognitive Decline in Elderly |
 A new study suggests impaired kidney function is a risk factor for cognitive decline in old age. Researchers found poor kidney function was linked specifically with cognition related to memory functions. Damage to one of these functions, episodic memory (memories of time and places), is often the earliest sign of Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Aron Buchman said the findings suggest there are common disease processes that affect both the brain and the kidneys in the elderly. He hypothesized underlying vascular problems, such as diabetes and hypertension, may account for the association between kidney problems and cognitive decline. The results appear in the journal Neurology. |
| Join the AAKP Survey Panel |
AAKP invites patients, family members, health care professionals and individuals with a concern for kidney disease to join its Survey Panel. The AAKP Survey Panel's purpose is to assist with the understanding of kidney disease and its impact on the day to day lives of individuals affected by reduced renal function.
The AAKP Survey Panel will ask you a few general questions and then asks your permission to contact you in the future regarding detailed topics, such as prescription costs, insurance benefits, treatment options, etc. Joining the AAKP Survey Panel is FREE and as a member your input can influence the products and services offered to kidney patients and their family members.
You can also feel secure in knowing the information you provide will only be used by AAKP to ensure you receive surveys that may be of interest to you. AAKP does not rent, sell or trade mailing lists or personal information to third parties. For more information, visit the AAKP Web site or call (800) 749-2257. |
| Fight Flu With Common Sense and a Vaccine When Available |
 The flu is a contagious viral illness that can occur in anyone. Some people, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, may be more susceptible than others. Read more about seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus and what you can do to protect yourself in the November issue of aakpRENALIFE. To order a free copy of aakpRENALIFE, call (800) 749-AAKP or view the issue online at http://www.aakp.org/newsletters/Renalife-Magazine/ |
| Mandatory Federal GINA Law Enacted |
On November 21, 2009, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 will go into effect. This act is intended to prevent employers from discriminating against individuals based on genetic tests and information. GINA will require that covered employers obtain and post notices informing covered individuals of their rights under the law. The law affects all private employers with 15 or more employees, certain public sector employers and employment agencies and labor organizations. |
| Contribute to AAKP When You Shop Online |
 Here's an easy way to raise money for the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). Every time you shop online at your favorite stores you could be saving money and earning a donation for AAKP.
Our toolbar, developed by GoodSearch & GoodShop, takes just a few seconds to download. More than 1,300 top stores including Apple, Best Buy, Gap, PetSmart, and Staples are pitching in and will donate a percentage of each sale to AAKP. The GoodSearch toolbar also includes a search box which is powered by Yahoo. Each time you search the web, about a penny is donated to AAKP!
There's no easier way to help AAKP. Please spread the word!
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