CMS suggests a novel compulsory organ transplant model for end-stage renal disease.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a new compulsory model proposal aimed at enhancing access to kidney transplants, reducing inequalities, and assisting selected hospitals in improving their transplant performance.

The proposed Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model, unveiled on Wednesday afternoon, is a six-year initiative set to be implemented by the CMS Innovation Center starting January 1, 2025.

According to a CMS fact sheet, the proposed model aims to not only reduce Medicare expenditure but also identify living donors. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure emphasized the Biden administration's commitment to modernizing the organ transplantation system, stating that kidney transplantation significantly improves the health and longevity of individuals by eliminating the need for dialysis. She underscored the potential of the IOTA Model in advancing the kidney transplant process for waitlisted individuals and transplant recipients.

Participating hospitals in the model would be evaluated based on the number of transplants conducted, organ acceptance rates, and post-transplant outcomes, as outlined in a news release.

Additionally, hospitals would be mandated to develop health equity plans to support underserved communities. These plans may include initiatives such as providing transportation assistance, addressing food insecurity, or alleviating out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs.

“There are 257 transplant hospitals nationwide, with 90 of them, or 35%, required to participate in the IOTA model,” stated Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. He highlighted the existence of racial disparities within the organ transplant industry, particularly affecting Black Americans who disproportionately face life-threatening kidney disease and receive a smaller share of kidney transplants. The Biden administration aims to address racial bias in wait time calculations and eliminate profiteering and inequality in the transplant process.

Statistics from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients reveal that although African Americans constitute 32% of those on the transplant waiting list, they make up less than 14% of recipients. Conversely, white individuals, who represent 36% of the waitlist, account for 62% of transplant recipients.

Source: Fierce Healthcare