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Nephrology and Dialysis
MARCH 10, 2026
ASN leaders meet with members of Congress to urge support for kidney health
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN)’s advocacy delegation met with congressional delegations to request bipartisan support for critical kidney priorities, including providing an initial investment of $1 billion in FY27 to support the research opportunities outlined in Transforming Kidney Health Research Report and advancing the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which would make donation a cost-neutral act, to support living kidney donors and remove financial barriers to donation.
Source: ASN
APRIL 1, 2026 2025
Updates to the KCC Model
Significant, Anomalous, and Highly Suspect Billing Activity
The Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model, in accordance with Appendix B, Sections V.C.13, VI.F.15, and VII.C.13 of the KCC Model Participation Agreement (Agreement), is providing updated guidance on significant, anomalous, and highly suspect (SAHS) billing activity related to codes for performance year (PY) 2025. CMS has determined that six Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes related to urinary catheters, alginate dressings, and orthotics meet the definition of SAHS billing activity for calendar year (CY) 2025.
The KCC Model will exclude expenditures associated with HCPCS codes A4352, A4353, A6197, L0486, L1852, and L3916 with dates of service in CY 2025 from benchmarks, performance year expenditures, and the United States Per Capita Cost (USPCC) trend rates for the PY 2025 reconciliation reports.
Skin Substitute Billing Activity in the KCC Model
CMS continues to review and monitor claims for skin substitute products. KCC’s design differs from the Shared Savings Program but is similar to ACO REACH’s.
CMS estimates that skin substitutes comprised 2.2% of PY 2025 KCC Model expenditures for PY 2025. Accordingly, CMS will remove 90% of skin substitute billing activity for 254 HCPCS codes related to skin substitutes for PY 2025 from benchmarks, performance year expenditures, and the USPCC trend rates utilized for the retrospective trend adjustment (RTA).
In addition, CMS will hold KCEs harmless to any downside impacts from the removal of skin substitutes. KCEs will be offered a Participation Agreement Amendment in late April/ early May 2026 to receive the adjustment for PY 2025 skin substitute billing activity.
Additionally, CMS is revising and expanding the reopening processes to allow KCEs to request a reopening when they believe potential improper claims payments have occurred. This will be included in the Participation Agreement Amendment that CMS will offer KCEs in late April/early May 2026.
Source: CMS
MARCH 17, 2026
Ninth Circuit revives lawsuit accusing drugmakers of overcharging on medication
The lawsuit, filed against AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Sanofi, alleges they defrauded federal and state governments by overcharging for medications provided to low-income and uninsured patients under the Section 340B Drug Pricing Program. The program allows medical providers—including outpatient facilities such as vascular access centers—ambulatory surgery centers and office- based labs to purchase drugs at discounted prices, sometimes as low as $0.01, known as “penny pricing,” when statutory ceiling prices fall below zero. Adventist Health System/West, a nonprofit with over 440 hospitals and clinics, claims years of overcharges led to inflated Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, which ceased after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services imposed civil fines in 2019.
Source: Reuters (sub. req.)
MARCH 18, 2026
ASN health policy scholar testifies before the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means
American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Health Policy Scholar Dr. Suzanne Watnick testified before the hearing on Improving Kidney Health through Better Prevention and Innovative Treatment. Watnick provided insights and answered questions on the current state of dialysis care in the U.S., specifically the slow pace of change in dialysis care, the challenges of Medicare reimbursement and potential solutions. Solutions provided included calling on the HHS Secretary to establish an Officer of Kidney Health and Transplantation, promoting screening for populations at risk for kidney diseases and ensuring patient access to therapies to manage and prevent kidney diseases.
Source: ASN
MARCH 11, 2026
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ shares rise 8.3% following release of clinical data
Vertex Pharmaceuticals saw its shares rise 8.3% on March 11, 2026, after releasing promising clinical data from its renal pipeline, particularly for Inaxaplin (VX-147), a small molecule inhibitor targeting APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), a severe genetic kidney disease. The company completed enrollment for the interim analysis cohort of its pivotal AMPLITUDE Phase 2/3 trial, with early data showing a sustained and significant reduction in proteinuria, a key marker of kidney damage. This development positions Vertex as a potential leader in the immunonephrology market and could transform care for patients with AMKD.
Source: The Chronicle Journal
MARCH 16, 2026
Bayer to present Kerendia trial results to regulators
Bayer’s Kerendia (finerenone) achieved positive results in the phase 3 Find-CKD study for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who do not have diabetes, meeting the primary endpoint by significantly reducing kidney function decline compared to placebo. Kerendia is already approved in the U.S. for CKD associated with Type 2 diabetes and certain types of heart failure. This outcome, measured by eGFR slope, suggests Kerendia may soon be available to a broader CKD population beyond those with Type 2 diabetes. Bayer plans to present detailed data at an upcoming medical conference and submit findings to regulators for potential label expansion.
Source: Fierce Pharma
MARCH 16, 2026
Baxter names Anita Zielinski interim CFO
Baxter International announced the departure of executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) Joel Grade, who will continue in an advisory capacity until April 30, 2026. Effective immediately, Zielinski, senior vice president, chief accounting officer and controller, will serve as interim CFO as the company fills the role. Zielinski joined Baxter in 2025 from Sysco Corporation, where she served as senior vice president and CFO.
Source: Baxter
MARCH 17, 2026
Biotechnology startup R1 Therapeutics launches with $77.5M in Series A funding
R1 Therapeutics launched operations with a $77.5 million Series A funding round and an exclusive license to develop and commercialize AP306, a drug for hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. Hyperphosphatemia is a complication that increases phosphorus levels to the point of weakening bones and damaging the heart. AP306, licensed from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Alebund Pharmaceuticals, is intended to address limitations of current treatments, which have changed little in 60 years and often require multiple pills with meals and cause stomach issues. The study is testing taking AP306 three times a day against a phosphate binder and found AP306 better at lowering phosphorus levels after 12 weeks. The company plans to begin a mid-stage trial in the first half of 2026, with data expected in the first half of next year, and, if successful, start late-stage development by the end of 2027.
Source: BioPharma Dive
MARCH 18, 2026
Exercise programs can improve health outcomes in CKD patients
Studies across multiple Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) populations found regular physical activity can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, functional capacity and health-related quality of life. Structured exercise programs can combat fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance and progressive muscle wasting, common contributors to CKD complications, including increased frailty, hospitalization and mortality. Programs in Canada, Germany, Portugal and Mexico found sustained exercise interventions supported by multidisciplinary teams in dialysis settings can improve physical capacity in CKD populations.
Source: Healio
MARCH 19, 2026
DaVita reports improvements in value-based kidney care initiatives
DaVita reported year-over-year improvements under the Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting (CKCC) model, part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Kidney Care Choices initiative. The results show progress in enhancing care quality and reducing costs for patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. DaVita’s participation in the CKCC model highlights its ongoing focus on value-based care strategies to improve patient outcomes and manage costs more effectively within the dialysis marketplace.
Source: Gene Online
VAC, ASC and Office-Based Labs
MARCH 6, 2026
Healthy People 2030 initiative calls to reduce central venous catheter use
The Healthy People 2030 initiative highlighted a critical issue in dialysis care: the high rate of central venous catheter use for vascular access, which is associated with worse patient outcomes. Despite arteriovenous fistula having better outcomes, 85% of new dialysis patients in the U.S. start with a catheter. Post-pandemic data from the United States Renal Data System show catheter rates have increased from 16% to over 22%. Healthy People 2030’s recommendations include improving Medicare reimbursements to dialysis vascular access centers, updating policy to recognize vascular access as a clinical priority and prioritizing infection control to reduce deaths from catheter-related infections and sepsis.
Source: Healio
MARCH 12, 2026
Fresenius Medical Care annual report emphasizes sustainability, patient experience
Highlights from the Power of Care report include:
- Organic revenue growth of 8% at constant currency in 2025 and a 27% increase in operating income, excluding special items;
- The expansion of the FME25 program, creating FME25+;
- The organization’s global Patient Net Promoter Score increased from 72 to 73;
- A 29% reduction in Scope-1 and market-based Scope-2 emissions compared to 2020; and
- Higher employee engagement and an expansion of training programs.
Source: Fresenius Medical Care
MARCH 5, 2026
Surgery Partners acquires PVG
Surgery Partners, a U.S. operator of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), acquired Preferred Vascular Group (PVG), which operates eight ASCs in Georgia and Ohio focused on specialty dialysis access procedures. PVG’s management will continue to lead the new entity, now backed by Surgery Partners. Surgery Partners now supports more than 200 centers across 33 states, expanding its footprint in the vascular access and ASC sector.
Source: Becker’s ASC Review
APRIL 14, 2026
CMS Bets on the Long Game with 10-Year LEAD ACO Model
The 10-year LEAD ACO model demonstrates CMS’s commitment to long-term value-based care. The model is designed to promote stability, foster innovation and support ongoing improvements in quality and cost-effectiveness for providers and organizations.
Source: Benesch
APRIL 15, 2026
CMS Puts Specialists in the Game with LEAD
CMS’s LEAD model expands value-based care by allowing specialists to participate more fully. This shift encourages greater collaboration among providers and aims to improve patient outcomes by integrating specialists into accountable care frameworks.
Source: Benesch
APRIL 16, 2026
LEAD vs. ACO REACH: What’s Changing and Why the LEAD Model Matters for ACOs and Participating Providers
The new LEAD model introduces significant changes from the outgoing ACO REACH program, focusing on improved care coordination, increased provider participation and enhanced health equity. These updates are poised to impact accountable care organizations and participating providers in meaningful ways.
Source: Benesch
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