CMS End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Open Door Forum

Sent out by e-mail 9/4/08

Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The next CMS End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Open Door Forum is scheduled for:

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2008

Start Time: 2:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)

Topic: Implementation of the new ESRD Conditions of Coverage through the survey and certification process

Conference Leaders: Thomas Hamilton, Angela Brice-Smith, Jan Tarantino, Judith Kari, and Natalie Highsmith

The focus of this ESRD Open Door Forum will be the implementation of the new ESRD Conditions of Coverage through the survey and certification process. The effective date of these new regulations is October 14, 2008.

On this call, the following topics will be discussed:

* An overview of the implementation: highlights and timelines
* The building of new Interpretive Guidance and other materials
* Community outreach and the training of surveyors
* Questions and answers

We look forward to your participation

Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:

There are 2 ways to participate, by phone or onsite.

1. To participate by phone:

Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 58370205

(Persons participating by phone are not required to RSVP.)

TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880 and for Internet Relay services click here http://www.consumer.att.com/relay/which/index.html. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.

2. To participate in person:

To participate onsite at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building: Your RSVP for Building Security Clearance is required. The RSVP deadline is September 16, 2008, 2:00 PM ET. To RSVP, send your name, organization and telephone number to ESRDODF-L@cms.hhs.gov . Be sure to enter “ESRD” in the subject line.

Upon entry into the building, you will be required to show your Government issued photo identification, preferably a valid driver's license, and are subject to baggage or vehicular search before entering the complex.

Please arrive no later than 1:30 PM.

ADDRESS:

Hubert H. Humphrey Bldg.
200 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Map & Directions: http://www.hhs.gov/about/hhhmap.html

ENCORE: 1-800-642-1687; Conf. ID# 58370205

Encore is a recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 and entering the conference ID, beginning on Monday, September 22, 2008. The recording expires after 3 business days.

For Forum Schedule updates, Listserv registration and Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/

Thank you.