Kidney Care Access Protection Act

The Kidney Care Access Protection Act (S 2730) improves access to innovative treatments for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who require dialysis. The bill extends Medicare's Transitional Drug Add-On Payment Adjustment (TDAPA) period for new renal dialysis drugs approved after 2020 and creates a permanent post-TDAPA payment adjustment starting in 2026. It clarifies that Medicare payments will cover only drugs specifically for kidney disease treatment, not for related conditions like diabetes or heart disease. The legislation also requires Medicare Advantage plans to cover innovative kidney care therapies and adjusts payment calculations to better reflect actual costs for providers. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, for treatments provided after that date.