[Analysis of reimbursement of dialysis patients' transport expenses in Lorraine]

Renal failure is defined as impairment of the excretory function of the kidney. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) gets progressively worse and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) constitutes thefinal stage. In France, overall spending generated by CKD in 2011 amounted to €3.3 billion. More than 80% of this cost was related to dialysis. Transport of patients in 2012 also cost €3.8 billion and 17% of this expenditure concerned patients with ESRD.

The aim of this study was to analyze reimbursement of transport expenses of dialysis patients in order to develop a regional action plan to optimize this reimbursement in Lorraine. PMSI-DCIR data from SNIIRAM portal were used to study the characteristics of the Lorraine population of general scheme patients (including Local Mutualist Sections) dialyzed at least once with or without reimbursement of transport expenses in 2012.

In 2012, 1,692 patients in Lorraine received at least one dialysis session. Nearly €22 millions were reimbursed for transportation of these patients. An analysis of the population of patients treated exclusively by hemodialysis throughout 2012 showed significant differences in the cost of transport according to their age, their department and the distance of the dialysis center from their home, the type of transport and long-term disease status.

Among all ofthe possible actions, patient intervention in health centers could be considered during training at the beginning of dialysis depending on the distance of the center from their home, in order to explain the modalities ofreimbursement of theirfuture transport by health insurance (the more "attractive" Personal Vehicle package, combined transportation, seated transportation card), to partially relieve health centers of this burden and to ensure that the transport is adapted to the patient's state of health.