Kidney Dialysis Cost Cutting & Fresenius Medical Care Tactics
By John Curran
Most of the medical bills relating to kidney dialysis care are paid for by the federal government through Medicare, regardless of age. Unfortunately the states have a responsibility for those in the lowest income bracket through Medicaid, and there is a large variance of payments that puts patients at risk even after problems with GranuFlo and NaturaLyte stroke side effects have gone away.
Take Florida, a state run by a former healthcare executive that ironically has the second-worst reimbursement rate in the nation for kidney dialysis providers like Fresenius Medical Care. While advocates are trying to push the state to increase the payments, it is unclear whether Florida legislators will do so. The number of patients who need dialysis treatment is skyrocketing, and with Medicaid, they are often the most vulnerable because of the inability to pay for any out-of-pocket costs. It can also lead to measures by kidney dialysis providers to try and protect any profit margins they still have.
GranuFlo lawsuit lawyers argue that may have been the case for two chemicals sold and used by Fresenius Medical Care for kidney dialysis patients. Both GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were designed to clean the blood, but also led to increased bicarbonates as a result of the process. That buildup is what led to NaturaLyte and GranuFlo stroke side effects, and while the company warned its own centers in 2011 to avoid the two, it continued to sell the drug to other dialysis providers until last year. It would be seven months between the in-house memo and the FDA’s recall.
Just because chemicals linked to GranuFlo heart failure problems are off the market does not mean that patients face no risks. Many on Medicaid find it difficult to get to healthcare centers for vaccines or pay for them even if they are able to. It is another issue that kidney advocates hope lawmakers in Tallahassee will address, though past bills indicate that may not be a strong possibility.
People who have dealt with GranuFlo heart failure problems may have suffered greatly as a result. Legal remedies are available and families can learn more at the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Cases are mounting against Fresenius Medical Care, so don’t delay in getting a free consultation with a GranuFlo lawsuit lawyer. Start today and fill out the form at the investigation to establish the eligibility of your potential claim.
Updated February 25th, 2013
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