Kidney transplant hospitals now get paid more or less based on how many patients get new kidneys

Medicare just changed how it pays hospitals for kidney transplants. Hospitals will now get bonuses or penalties based on how many patients receive new kidneys and how well they manage overall costs.

Hospitals used to get paid for each kidney transplant they performed. Now, Medicare will pay them more or less based on how many patients actually get new kidneys and how well the hospital manages overall costs. This means transplant centers must actively find ways to increase access for patients with end-stage renal disease, or they will lose money.