Renal Physicians Association’s (RPA) Nephrology Coverage Advisory Panel (nCAP) Announces “Action Agenda” For Nephrologists At Second Annual Symposium
2005 nCAP initiatives will educate nephrologists about reimbursement coverage and regulatory issues. The program will encourage RPA members to become involved in local networking and discussions, and to participate on Carrier Advisory Committees to influence local reimbursement decisions. Fair and consistent reimbursement ensures optimal care for patients with renal disease and related disorders.
Rockville, MD (PRWEB) October 14, 2004 -
The Renal Physicians Association’s (RPA) Nephrology Coverage Advisory Panel (nCAP), today announced a multi-faceted “Action Agenda” for 2005 during the group’s second annual symposium held in New York City, October 9-11.
The three day agenda outlined initiatives that will include the launch of a new educational website, distribution of resource materials and communications tools for nephrologists, and the launch of activities to engage nephrologists in local, regional and national forums.
NCAP first met in June 2003 to explore how nephrologists can work together to address important coverage and payment policies as well as regulatory issues that impact the quality of care for their patients with renal disease and related disorders.
According to the United States Renal Data System 2004 Annual Data Report, more than 430,000 persons are undergoing treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States, which requires long-term dialysis or renal transplantation to sustain life.
About 308,000 persons are currently undergoing long-term dialysis, and another 122,000 persons have functioning renal transplants. Given the number of Americans affected, ESRD is considered to be one of the most serious medical and economic public health problems in America.
“Over the last several years it has become evident that healthcare policy development and coverage decisions often occur at the local and regional level,” said nCAP Chairman Chaim Charytan, M. D., chief of Renal Division at New York Hospital Medical Center at Cornell University and a former President of the RPA. “Although CMS decisions establish national policies, in practice, the interpretation of CMS policies and coverage decisions are developed locally by carriers and fiscal intermediaries. In the case of Medicaid, and private insurance coverage, these policies are almost universally developed at the state and regional level.”
“When we formed nCAP, and held our first meeting June 2003, we defined the framework for a multi-faceted program to engage nephrologists in local, regional and national forums with the goal of establishing appropriate representation and input into the development of local coverage policies affecting renal care,” said Dale Singer, executive director of the RPA. “We are excited to report that our members are eager to learn about how they can help shape local renal coverage policies. The networking and discussions at this meeting demonstrate the momentum that is building as we exchange information across state and regional boundaries.”
To build on theses activities, nCAP will launch an educational website in early 2005. The URL will be http://www. renalmd/ncap. org (http://www. renalmd/ncap. org). Also this year, nCAP will develop an educational “toolkit” for nephrologists to help them become proactive participants on Carrier Advisory Committees (CACs).
Specifically, the kit will educate nephrologists on the details of the CMS process of policy development at the national and local level, and provide the need to develop the skills to work with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance system.
“We are identifying strong leaders across the country,” said Dr. Charytan. “We expect more nephrologists will sign on to participate in the nCAP initiative in the weeks and months ahead.” He added, “The dynamics of how reimbursement and coverage policies are formed and revised is empowering when we open up a dialogue. nCAP is now focused on achieving the goal of contributing to influencing positive changes in healthcare coverage policies and leveraging these changes to improve the care that we provide for our patients.”
About the RPA and nCAP
Founded in 1974, The Renal Physicians Association (RPA) is the professional organization of nephrologists whose goal it is to ensure optimal care under the highest standards of medical practice for patients with renal disease and related disorders. RPA acts as the national representative for physicians engaged in the study and management of patients with renal disease.
RPA launched the Nephrology Coverage Advisory Panel (nCAP) initiative in June 2003 to educate RPA members throughout the country about reimbursement, coverage and regulatory issues which impact renal patient care.
For additional information about RPA, visit www. renalmd. org. For more information on RPAÂ’s nCAP initiative, contact RPAÂ’s NCAP Project Director, Holly Owens, at 301-468-3515 or at howens@renalmd. org. The RPAÂ’s nCAP initiative is supported by an educational grant from Amgen.
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