Maintaining a self-funded health insurance plan is an attractive option for many employers providing enhanced flexibility, tax savings and risk management. However, self-funded plans are potentially susceptible to the negative impact of the most expensive medical conditions when they dont establish and follow the right cost management strategy.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is one of those expensive conditions. It affects more than a half-million Americans, according to Kidney.org. The treatment is costly. According to the United States Renal System 2013 report, the cost of dialysis for Medicare patients is $61,000 annually, not including drugs. More than 430,000 patients require dialysis annually.
