What you are entitled to as a dialysis patient. Your rights around treatment decisions, grievances, care team access, and how to escalate a concern that is not being addressed.
As a patient receiving dialysis in a Medicare-certified facility, your rights are protected under the ESRD Conditions for Coverage federal regulations that every participating dialysis center must follow. These are not suggestions. They are requirements.
Every dialysis facility is required to have a patient grievance process. To initiate it, ask to speak with the facility administrator or request the formal grievance form. Your concern must be documented and you are entitled to a written response.
If the facility does not respond adequately, your next escalation point is your regional ESRD Network. The United States has 18 ESRD Networks that are federally funded to protect patient rights. You can find your network at esrdncc.org. They can receive complaints and facilitate investigations.
For unresolved serious concerns, you can also contact CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Patient Advocate One has developed ready-to-use grievance letter templates for dialysis patients. These templates cover general concerns, staffing concerns, access care complaints, treatment time issues, and formal escalation to the ESRD Network.
Download the Grievance Templates →
You do not need a lawyer to file a grievance with your facility or your ESRD Network. The process is designed to be accessible to patients. Document your concern in writing, keep copies of everything, and note dates and names of people you speak with.
This section is for patient education and information purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not replace guidance from your care team. Always follow your care team's guidance. Patient Advocate One is a GereNetCo movement. gerenetco.com · chaircalm.com