Transplant News & Updates
We are learning more and more about how individuals with kidney disease and kidney transplants are at a higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Because transplant recipients take immunosuppressive drugs, they have a higher risk of infection from viruses such as cold or flu. To lower the chance of getting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, transplant patients should follow the CDC’s Guidance on how to avoid catching or spreading germs, and contact their health care professional if they develop symptoms of COVID-19.
Learn more here: National Kidney Foundation: Transplant & COVID 19
A rapid increase in “virtual” visits during the COVID-19 pandemic could transform the way physicians provide care in the United States going forward, according to a new study led by researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
As social distancing continues to be a necessity, physician practices have begun to offer their patients much-needed access to virtual care. This offering has increased patient volume and revenue, (which were down 60 percent and 55 percent respectively).
Tele-medicine is now viewed as an urgent necessity to replace in-person care in an effort to minimize patient exposure and PPE. Learn more here: TeleMedicine
COVID 19 is forcing transplant centers to cancel live kidney donor transplants and put “donor testing” on hold. Hopeful recipients are emotionally struggling with this disruptive and unpredictable standstill. Their thought bubbles sound like: “Will my donor change their mind? Will my GFR hold? Will I be forced on dialysis or be taken off the list as I get sicker?”
While these concerns are realistic deal-breakers, an intentional shift in perspective could reveal a brighter blessing in disguise. Why is this possible? Because putting life’s plans on hold presents an expanded window of opportunity to refine and strengthen one’s goals.
It’s a matter of choice. You can sit frozen in fear or you can shift what’s beyond your control to work to your advantage. Learn more here
New bill for Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019, H.R. 5534, was introduced by representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX) on December 23, 2019. The legislative hearing is set for January 8th, 2020—tell congress to vote YES.
THE GOAL: To eliminate the 36-month limit on Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients without coverage—and save medicare 300 million over 10 years. (estimated by DHHS).
CALL TO ACTION: Contact your members of Congress today and tell them to support H.R. 5534 —to protect kidney transplant recipients and reduce their risk of rejection. Contact your member of Congress: https://honorthegift.org/act/
New Partnership Enhances Kidney Health Awareness, Educates Professionals & Spurs Innovation. Washington, D.C., November 4, 2019. The first major effort by a President to improve kidney health (since Medicare began covering end-stage renal disease patients back in 1972), is taking flight in a new partnership between the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services(HHS). This historic partnership intends to collaborate on public awareness initiatives outlined in the Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health. The ultimate goal is to transform kidney health by enhancing public awareness, educating clinical professionals and spurring innovation by entities serving the kidney community. Click to learn more
President Orders Kidney Care Revamp, CMS Proposes Payment Models. On July 10, 2019, President Trump signed “Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health,” reforming care for kidney disease. The goals of the executive order are to provide care before dialysis is needed and to increase transplants and home dialysis.
While the president was signing the executive order, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) rolled out five proposed payment models for kidney care.
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) has confirmed (through this analysis) what we’ve long known to be true—extending Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive medications would prolong the viability of transplanted kidneys while also saving Medicare money.
Let lawmakers know that you support the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act—a bipartisan solution that protects and honors the organ donor’s gift and their recipient’s transplant, by extending drug coverage for the life of the transplant. Download PDF Here
Your voice can help extend immunosuppressive drug coverage. Learn more. Join Honor the Gift Campaign!
New York, NY – May 10, 2019 – Immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients not only saves lives it saves money. HHS reports a 73 Million Dollar Savings Over 10 Years, by extending immunosuppressive medication coverage for kidney transplant patients under Medicare. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation proves that extending Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients beyond the current three years post-transplant, not only saves lives but saves money.
The report shows extending the coverage would result in an accumulated savings of approximately $73 million over ten years.” Learn More Here
Reps. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, and Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash.,joined Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Feb. 14 to introduce the Living Donor Protection Act of 2019. According to a press release issued by Nadler’s office, the Department of Labor issued a legal opinion last year stating that individuals who choose to donate an organ are covered under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Living Donor Protection Act would codify the Department of Labor’s guidance to protect living donors in the private and civil service sector, removing one of the largest barriers to organ donation, they said.
Ensuring that donors have the time they need to heal following donation and can continue to afford insurance going forward will give donors more certainty and encourage more Americans to make the gift of living organ donation.” The legislators cited a 2014 study in the American Journal of Transplantation that indicated that as many as 27% of living organ donors have trouble securing or paying for insurance after their procedures because of discriminatory practices.
The Living Donor Protection Act would protect living organ donors and promote organ donation in three ways, according to the press release: (1) the act prohibits life, disability and long-term care insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage and from charging higher premiums for living organ donors; (2) it amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to specifically include living organ donation as a serious health condition for private and civil service employees; and, (3) the act directs HHS to update their materials on live organ donation to reflect these new protections and encourage more individuals to consider donating an organ.
Dec 19, 2018, Envarsus XR (tacrolimus extended-release tablets) to prevent organ rejection in de novo kidney transplant. FDA approved Envarsus XR for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney transplant patients converted from tacrolimus immediate-release formulations in 2015 which has been used in the conversion setting in more than 90% of the transplant centers in the U.S. The approval for “de novo” use (from the beginning of a patients transplant journey) provides an important new treatment option for kidney transplant patients and providers, where significant unmet need currently exists.
Envarsus XR technology uses a MeltDose drug delivery technology to enhance the oral bioavailability and control the release of a drug, especially low water-soluble or insoluble drugs. The goal of this technology is to improve efficacy and/or reduce side effects. Particle size plays a vital role in bioavailability. Unlike conventional and nanocrystal drug delivery formulations which use larger particles that are more difficult to absorb, MeltDose technology enhances bioavailabilty by reducing the drug to the smallest-possible particle size-down to single molecules. The smaller particle size enables better dissolution and absorption.
Click here to learn more about ENVARSUS XR including indication and Important Safety Information. Please see full IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ENVARSUS XR (tacrolimus extended-release tablets): Click Here
Non-Invasive Kidney Transplant Surveillance test . AlloSure (by CareDX) is a non-invasive blood test that assesses organ health. The test can determine active rejection in kidney transplant patients.
AlloSure measures donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in the blood, which is an indicator of kidney injury and sign of rejection.
