A new proposed rule that would expand Medicare coverage of dialysis services has already generated interest among skilled nursing operators, and multiple voices have called on officials to further cement the SNF connection.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in July rolled out the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Choices (ETC) model, a plan that would boost reimbursements for dialysis treatments and further encourage treatment of chronic kidney disease, the precursor to ESRD.

At the time, providers that specialize in mobile dialysis treatment trumpeted the proposal as a potential boon for nursing home operators: For the purposes of the rule, skilled nursing facilities count as “home” for residents, meaning SNFs could have a greater incentive and ability to offer dialysis services.