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NOVEMBER 20, 2025
CMS Releases 2026 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System Final Rule
CMS issued a final rule to update payment rates and policies under the ESRD Prospective Payment System (PPS) for renal dialysis services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after Jan. 1, 2026. The final rule plans to allocate $6 billion to approximately 7,600 end-stage renal disease facilities in 2026. CMS estimates that, in aggregate, Medicare payments under the rule will increase by roughly $180 million in 2026 compared with 2025. Medicare payments to hospital-based dialysis centers will increase by 1.5% in 2026, while standalone clinics will see an estimated 2.2% increase.
Read the press release and final rule.
RHA Members can see a summary here. (Login required)
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AUGUST 29, 2025
RHA Submits Comments to Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System, Payment for Renal Dialysis Services Furnished to Individuals With Acute Kidney Injury, End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, and End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model” (CMS-1830-P).
Read the full comment letter.
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JUNE 30, 2025
CY 2026 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (CMS-1830-P)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to update payment rates and policies under the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for renal dialysis services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2026. This proposed rule would also update the acute kidney injury (AKI) dialysis payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by ESRD facilities for calendar year (CY) 2026 and proposes to update requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program (QIP).
For CY 2026, CMS is proposing to increase the ESRD PPS base rate to $281.06, which CMS expects would increase total payments to all ESRD facilities, both freestanding and hospital-based, by approximately 1.9%. The CY 2026 ESRD PPS proposed rule also includes a proposed payment adjustment for certain non-labor costs for ESRD facilities located in Alaska, Hawaii, and the United States (U.S.) Pacific Territories.
CMS is proposing shortening the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (ICH CAHPS) survey to 39 questions, removing 23 questions, and eliminating three health equity reporting measures from the ESRD QIP. Additionally, CMS is seeking input on health IT use in dialysis facilities; and input on future measure concepts. CMS also is proposing the early termination of the ESRD Treatment Choices Model.
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