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So far Hannah Bracamonte has created 586 blog entries.

Treating Anemia

2024-03-28T21:07:08-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

This fact sheet answers some questions for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or on dialysis who are receiving Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) to treat their anemia.  This fact sheet also provides some questions to help you talk with your doctor or anemia management nurse about your treatment. Why am I getting this information? You are getting this information because you have been prescribed an ESA or you and your doctor may be considering whether you should take one.  The common brand names for these drugs are Aranesp®, Procrit® and Epogen®. You may have heard or read about risks with [...]

Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:07:09-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

People with diabetes have a greater risk of developing serious problems with their kidneys. In fact, diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease (also called CKD). To better understand why diabetes is a top cause of CKD, it is important to know more about diabetes and how it can damage your kidneys. Diabetes is a disease that affects a person’s sugar levels (also called blood glucose levels). There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas (an organ in the body behind the stomach) does not make insulin any longer. Type 2 [...]

Be Prepared During an Emergency with this Meal Plan for Dialysis Patients

2024-03-28T21:07:09-04:00December 20th, 2012|Categories: eNews, News & Events, Nutrition, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

Emergencies happen every day and the more prepared you are for an emergency the better your outcome will be. Depending on the situation and on the stage of your kidney disease, you may be without your normal clinic or unable to grab all of your home supplies. You should have an emergency survival kit that includes: Food and water for each person for three days Flashlight with fresh batteries First aid kit Three days’ worth of medications Prescriptions and instructions to administer in case you are unable to communicate Emergency numbers for your doctors and or dialysis center If you are a [...]

Following a Diet as a Transplant Patient

2024-03-28T21:07:10-04:00December 20th, 2012|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Nutrition, Staying Healthy|

After you receive a transplant, it is possible that many of the diet restrictions you had during dialysis will disappear. This however, doesn’t mean that proper nutrition is any less important.  Also, if you have other conditions like hypertension and diabetes, you will need to continue following those diet restrictions. Taking immunosuppressants and anti-rejection medications. (1) To keep your new organ healthy, you will need to take an immunosuppressant drug.  Just like the name sounds it suppresses your body’s immune system response to your new organ.  Even with careful matching your body won’t recognize the new kidney as its own and will [...]

Questions Patients Should Ask Their Healthcare Providers

2024-03-28T21:07:11-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: eNews, Medication|

It is critical to be an active and engaged participant in your own care. Reading this article will help you make sure you are getting the care you need. Any time new medicines or tests are ordered for you, it is important to ask questions. It can be intimidating to ask doctors or nurses these questions, but you are not able to make informed decisions without all of the facts. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ), part of the part of the Department of Health and Human Services, was created to help with this process. The AHRQ has developed [...]

Medicare by the Letter

2025-01-30T16:37:27-05:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews|Tags: |

Part A Medicare part A is designed to help cover expenses for institutional care. These mean hospitals, skilled nursing facilities after a hospital stay, hospice and home health care. For people who paid Medicare taxes (or their spouse did) while working this coverage does not cost any money. A person might also be able to buy this coverage if they are disabled and meet residency requirements. People who are receiving disability from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board will automatically receive information near the time they will become eligible for Medicare. Those who are not receiving retirement benefits should [...]

The Medicare “Donut Hole”

2024-03-28T21:07:13-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, Medication|Tags: |

The Coverage Gap The way Medicare Part D was designed there was a planned coverage gap, which has become known as "the donut hole". This gap has caused a great deal of confusion and higher than expected out of pocket costs for medications. When do you reach the gap? The gap begins when a person reaches a predetermined amount during the year based on average retail cost of drugs. In 2011, that amount is set at $2840. Since Medicare drug plans negotiate for a lower price the average retail cost is not what you actually paid out of pocket. Every drug [...]

Medicare and the Part D Donut Hole

2024-03-28T21:07:14-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, Medication|Tags: |

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? This saying, made famous by Benjamin Franklin, is as true today as it was in the 1700's. Preventative care and early treatment can impact the outcome of most diseases. Mammograms and prostate screening are effective tools against cancer Sunscreens and limiting outdoor exposure to direct sunlight are effective methods to lower the risk for skin cancers The proper use of medication can also prevent conditions from forming or stop existing conditions from worsening. A potential growing gap is forming between what the doctor orders and what the patient may or may [...]

Dual Eligibility Medicare/Medicaid

2024-03-28T21:07:15-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews|

Dual Eligibility refers to a person being eligible in some way for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is a federal program while Medicaid is a state program that is available to those with low income and/or resources. Medicare and Medicaid Medicare covers acute care services and Medicaid covers Medicare premiums and cost sharing expenses. Medicaid may also cover expenses for long term care. There are different types of eligibility and this link goes to a report with a table that outlines the differences http://www.medpac.gov/publications%5Ccongressional_reports%5CJune04_ch3.pdf Medicare is considered the primary insurer and covers medically necessary acute care services, including physician, hospital, [...]

Medicare and ESRD

2024-03-28T21:07:18-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews|

Medicare helps to pay for kidney dialysis as well as kidney transplants. Eligibility A person whose kidneys no longer work can get Medicare no matter what their age as long as they meet other criteria. You have worked long enough to qualify for retirement benefits from Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, or as a government employee You are already receiving retirement benefits You are the spouse or child or a person who meets either of the above criteria In order to receive full benefits you must apply for both Medicare Part A and B and wait the required amount [...]

DPC Education Center

1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1230 Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 1-855-291-3725

Fax: 1-888-423-5002

Web: Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center

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