Report identifies positive news on kidney disease in the US, yet challenges remain

The annual data report from the United States Renal Data System reveals both positive and negative trends in kidney disease in the US. Medicare spending for patients with chronic kidney disease aged 65 and older exceeded $50 billion in 2013 and represented 20 percent of all Medicare spending in that age group. In addition, the total cost to Medicare for end-stage kidney disease grew to $30.9 billion and accounted for 7.1 percent of the overall paid Medicare claims costs.