websites for finding diaysis units

[Riki]

Are there any sites out there to help someone to find a dialysis unit while traveling?  I've used dialysisfinder.com before, and it lists all sites in a certain area, but it doesn't give the information that I'm looking for.  Is there anything that gives a list of centres in a certain area that 1, take travelers, 2, list costs for treatment alone, any meds that might be needed, or extras.  I found out that band aids are extras in Manhattan AND in Ottawa.  Ottawa shocked me with that one.

Dialysisfinder.com only lists phone numbers to the centres in it's lists, but if you have a phone phobia like I do, you can't make a phone call to ask those questions.  Even if they had a website or email address, would be really nice

I've come across sites that list dialysis units, but they look to be for those who are looking for a permanent centre, and not just a place to get a couple of treatments while traveling

[Meinuk]

Good luck with getting a unit to divulge what they charge (and if you find out, please post it here!).  As far as travelling in the USA goes, you should call the unit and ask.  It all depends on their policies/staff/census etc (all of which seem to be changing at an alarming rate now a days).

In the United States, you can use:
www.Medicare.gov/dialysis  to find basic information: telephone, treatments etc.

To get detailed data on the clinical perfomance use:
http://projects.propublica.org/dialysis/

My suggestion is narrow down your choices using the medicare site, and then do serious research on the propublica site. The reason I say this is that my old unit, DaVita Lifecare in NYC (now closed) accepted travellers, and nine people were infected with Hepatitis C. (meaning that you don't want to end up at a bad unit just because they were listed as accepting travellers)

[Riki]

The unit I went to in Manhattan didn't have a problem giving me a rundown of costs.  I needed that information to give to the government here before they would look into sending them my information.  They only allow so much per treatment, so if it was too much, they wouldn't bother with that unit, and tell me to find another one.

I was on the propublica site and it doesn't have the info I want either.  I CAN'T phone them, I need an email address.  I can only call immediate family members.  My last boyfriend even thought it weird that I never called him.

[okarol]

The unit I went to in Manhattan didn't have a problem giving me a rundown of costs.  I needed that information to give to the government here before they would look into sending them my information.  They only allow so much per treatment, so if it was too much, they wouldn't bother with that unit, and tell me to find another one.

I was on the propublica site and it doesn't have the info I want either.  I CAN'T phone them, I need an email address.  I can only call immediate family members.  My last boyfriend even thought it weird that I never called him.

Maybe a friend or family member could help you out and make a few calls. Give them a list of what you need to know. Most places do not have email or websites.

[Meinuk]

The unit I went to in Manhattan didn't have a problem giving me a rundown of costs. 

My point was that if dialysis units actually published their pricing, the world would be a much better place.  As it stands now, it is a lot like negotiating for buying a used car.  We know the base value:  Medicare reimbursement rate.  But we have no idea what they are billing those with private insurance - let alone what they are charging cash up front foreign visitors.

Transparency should start with price.  Too many dialysis units seem to be able to give their shareholders and CEO millions (Kent Theiry just cashed in over $5 million in Davita stock) Yet, in my old DaVita unit they could not afford sure seals to stop bleeding after dialysis (a NYC unit that accepted transients and was conveniently located behind Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side).  hmmm, They couldn't afford sureseal bandaids that stop bleeding... and were shut down by the state of New York for bad practice after infecting nine people with blood borne Hepatitis C.  Who's blood paid for Kent's Stock options this year?

Riki, I am sorry that I answered your travel question with a political statement.  I hope that you can find a work around for your phone phobia, and that you can travel unfettered.

[Riki]

Something tells me that the one I was at is a Davita unit as well.  I could be wrong.  If you're from NYC, perhaps you know it.  It's on East 34th.  Anyway, they told me that they only give the sureseals to people who have insurance.  I was smart enough to bring my own with me. That unit was totally no frills.  They had the awful lazy boy chairs that hurt me.  No pillows for your arm, no blankets, nothing like what I'm used to.

[Cordelia]

I agree, I think dialysis units should advertise their pricing!