The following definitions and those found in chapter
182-500 WAC, apply to this chapter.
"Affiliate" means a facility, hospital, unit, business, or person having an agreement with a kidney center to provide specified services to end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.
"Agreement" means a written document executed between an ESRD facility and another facility in which the other facility agrees to assume responsibility for furnishing specified services to patients and for obtaining reimbursement for those services.
"Composite rate" means a payment method in which all standard equipment, supplies, and services are calculated into a blended rate. All in-facility dialysis and all home dialysis treatments are billed under the composite rate system.
"Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)" means a type of dialysis where the patient's peritoneal membrane is used as the dialyzer. The patient dialyzes at home, using special supplies, but without the need for a machine. (See "Peritoneal dialysis.")
"Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD)" means a type of peritoneal dialysis where the patient dialyzes at home and uses an automated peritoneal cycler for delivering dialysis.
"Dialysate" means an electrolyte solution used in dialysis containing elements such as potassium and sodium chloride. It surrounds the membrane or fibers and allows the exchange of substances with the patient's blood in the dialyzer.
"Dialysis" means a process by which dissolved substances are removed from a patient's body by diffusion from one fluid compartment to another across a semipermeable membrane.
"Dialysis session" means the period beginning when the patient arrives at the facility and ending when the patient departs from the facility. For home dialysis, it means the period beginning when the patient prepares for dialysis and ending when the patient is disconnected from the machine.
"Dialyzer" means the synthetic porous membrane or fibers contained in a supporting structure, through which blood flows to eliminate harmful substances and replace them with useful ones.
"Durable medical equipment (DME)" means equipment that:
(1) Can withstand repeated use;
(2) Is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose;
(3) Generally is not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury; and
(4) Is appropriate for use in the client's place of residence.
"End-stage renal disease (ESRD)" means the stage of renal impairment that is irreversible and permanent and requires dialysis or kidney transplant to ameliorate uremic symptoms and maintain life.
"Epoetin alpha (EPO)" means the biologically engineered protein that stimulates the bone marrow to make new red blood cells. It is used in the treatment of anemia.
"Free-standing kidney center" means a limited care facility not operated by a hospital that is certified by the federal government to provide ESRD services.
"Home dialysis" means any dialysis performed at home.
"Home dialysis helper" means a person trained to assist the client in home dialysis.
"In-facility dialysis" - For the purpose of this chapter only, "in-facility dialysis" means dialysis of any type performed on the premises of a kidney center or other free-standing ESRD facility.
"Intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD)" means a type of peritoneal dialysis in which dialysis solution is infused into the peritoneal cavity and then drained out. IPD is usually done in a kidney center or facility. It can be done at home with a trained home dialysis helper.
"Kidney center" means a facility as defined and certified by the federal government to:
(1) Provide ESRD services;
(2) Provide the services specified in this chapter; and
(3) Promote and encourage home dialysis for a client when medically indicated.
"Peritoneal dialysis" means a procedure that introduces dialysate into the abdominal cavity to remove waste products through the peritoneum. Three forms of peritoneal dialysis are continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis, and intermittent peritoneal dialysis.
"Standard ESRD lab tests" means certain laboratory tests that the Centers for medicare and medicaid include in their composite rate calculations. These tests are identified in the agency kidney center services billing instructions.