What do kidneys do?
Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy.
What is end stage renal disease (ESRD)?
ESRD is also known as kidney failure. When your kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. When this happens, you need treatment to replace the work of your failed kidneys.
What causes ESRD?
In the United States , the two leading causes of ESRD are diabetes and high blood pressure. When these two diseases are controlled by treatment, the associated kidney disease can often be prevented or slowed down.
How is kidney failure treated?
There are several treatment options for kidney failure. Choices include hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation. Each of these methods of treatment has advantages and disadvantages. No matter which treatment is chosen, diet, activity, and medication are also important considerations. But with the help of the health care team, family, and friends, the person with kidney failure can lead a full, active life.
What is the Patient Assistance Program?
The ESRD Patient Assistance Program provides financial reimbursement for formulary-based medications and nutritional supplements for people with ESRD receiving renal dialysis.
Who is eligible to receive assistance through the ESRD Patient Assistance Program?
- New Jersey residents having a diagnosis of ESRD;
- Receiving renal dialysis at a facility enrolled in the Renal Disease Patient Assistance Program; and
- Having an income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guideline.
How is assistance provided to ESRD patients?
ESRD Medicare approved dialysis facilities apply to receive funds for the patients that they serve. Facility staff assess the eligibility of ESRD patients. If a patient is eligible for the program, the facility follows established procedures to obtain reimbursement for approved patient medications and nutritional supplements.
How does an ESRD facility apply for participation in the grant?
Every year, each existing and new ESRD facility in New Jersey is sent a “participation letter” in which the facility designates continuance, withdrawal, or requests participation in the ESRD Patient Assistance Program. Funds are allocated to each facility based on budget, historical need, requested dollar amounts, and the proven ability of the facility to meet its responsibilities to the grant. Dialysis facilities wishing more information on the program may contact the Quality Insights Renal Network Three (QIRN3) at (609) 490-0310.
Where can I find more information on ESRD?
Links to non-State and Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) or New Jersey State Government, and none should be inferred. The NJDHSS is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Quality Insights Renal Network Three
www.qirn3.org
American Association of Kidney Patients
www.aakp.org
American Diabetes Association site:
www.diabetes.org
International Diabetes Federation
www.idf.org
Federal government gateway to consumer health information site
www.healthfinder.gov
New Jersey Sharing Network (transplant donor agency site)
www.sharenj.org
ESRD Network #17 Consumer Disaster Manual site
www.network17.org/consumerarticles/disaster.htm
National Kidney Foundation
www.kidney.org/patients
National Institutes of Health - Diabetes, Digestive Diseases and Kidney Diseases
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/kidney/kidney.htm
Life Options Rehabilitation Advisory Council
www.lifeoptions.org/
Transweb - Comprehensive transplant information
www.transweb.org/index.htm
Medicare information on dialysis and kidneys
http://www.medicare.gov/health/dialysis.asp
Medicare site with information on different health plans
http://www.medicare.gov/MPHCompare/Home.asp
Immunization Action Coalition - Immunization information and vaccine information
http://www.immunize.org
Online Kidney School
http://www.kidneyschool.org
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Solan, R.N., MPH
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program
PO Box 364
Trenton, NJ
08625-0364
Phone: 609 984-6137
FAX: 609 292-9288
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