21st Century Cures Act Aims to Improve Access to Care for Dialysis Patients

DENVER, Dec. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Kidney Care, a division of DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading independent provider of integrated health and kidney care services in the United States, celebrates the new access to benefits and care for dialysis patients that will be possible due to passage of the 21^st Century Cures Act, signed by the president on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.

The new law includes a critical provision that will allow Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to choose a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Until now, this choice was available to all Medicare beneficiaries without ESRD. MA plans provide coordinated care to beneficiaries with complex medical conditions.

"With this Act, dialysis patients will have improved access to high-quality, coordinated care, which can enhance their health and quality of life," said Javier Rodriguez, president and CEO of DaVita Kidney Care. "On behalf of the 67,000 DaVita teammates and nearly 186,000 ESRD patients that we serve, we thank members of Congress for their bipartisan support."

Approximately 660,000 people in the U.S. suffer from ESRD also known as kidney failure. Many ESRD patients struggle with multiple chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. They are also more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, which limits their ability to access needed health care services. The ESRD provisions in the 21^st Century Cures Act are scheduled to take effect in 2021.

About DaVita Kidney Care
DaVita Kidney Care is a division of DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of dialysis services in the United States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of September 30, 2016, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,318 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 186,000 patients. The company also operated 139 outpatient dialysis centers located in 11 countries outside the United States. DaVita Kidney Care supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company's leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

Media contact: 
Kate Stabrawa
303-876-7527
Kate.stabrawa@davita.com

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SOURCE DaVita Kidney Care