What is Medicare Advantage and Why is it the Most Important Contemporary Policy Affecting Kidney Disease?
Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment among patients receiving dialysis has surged following the 21st Century Cures Act, which lifted prior restrictions on enrollment. As MA becomes the plurality payer for dialysis, understanding its implications for patients, providers, and policymakers is critical. MA offers out-of-pocket spending caps and additional services not covered under fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare. Some plans also prioritize care coordination, which may improve patient outcomes. However, concerns remain regarding limited provider networks, prior authorization barriers, and disparities in access to medications and transplants.



