This bill makes it easier for Medicare patients with end-stage kidney disease to access new and innovative treatment options. Right now, when kidney dialysis facilities want to use brand-new drugs, biologics, or equipment, they get temporary extra payment from Medicare for a limited time. This bill extends that temporary payment period from the current timeframe to at least 3 years, giving facilities more time to adopt these innovations. More importantly, it creates a permanent payment adjustment that continues even after the temporary period ends, so dialysis facilities don't face a sudden payment cliff when new treatments are no longer considered "brand new."

The bill also addresses a specific problem with Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance options for Medicare beneficiaries. It requires these plans to make direct payments to dialysis facilities for innovative drugs and equipment, ensuring that patients in these plans have the same access to cutting-edge treatments as those in traditional Medicare. Additionally, the bill clarifies that certain newer drugs treating related conditions—like heart disease or diabetes—that kidney patients might also have won't be counted as part of the standard dialysis payment, allowing for separate reimbursement.

Finally, the bill tackles a payment accuracy issue by requiring Medicare to adjust its annual payment updates to kidney dialysis facilities to account for past forecasting errors. This helps ensure that payments stay stable and accurate over time, which is important for dialysis centers to maintain adequate staffing and quality care. The changes take effect starting January 1, 2026.