U.S. Hemodialysis Equipment Markets

A major challenge in the dialysis industry is the high cost pressures faced by manufacturers and service providers. Medicare reimburses a majority of the treatments performed by dialysis clinics. The low Medicare reimbursement rates have put significant pressure on these clinics to reduce cost, which have forced manufacturers to contain profitability as well as threaten innovation. The imminent dearth in skilled staff for dialysis clinics and constraints of cost-containment within the current reimbursement system necessitate the development of novel methods to increase profitability. Solutions involve novel workflow cost containment strategies as well as consolidation of service providers and manufacturing companies, which allow increased margins.

Growing Number of ESRD Patients will Drive Growth in the Dialysis Market

The number of ESRD patients is expected to grow significantly, fueled by increases in the incidence of diabetes and obesity. Sheer growth in patient numbers will drive the market for dialysis products and services. Significant growth is expected in the market for dialyzers and in niche markets for machines such as the home hemodialysis market.

Niche Markets like Home Hemodialysis Hold Untapped Potential

Frequent or longer dialysis gives better clinical outcomes for patients than dialysis currently practiced in-center. Given the choice and means to do so, an estimated 50 percent of dialysis patients would chose to treat themselves at home. Medical Directors from several independent clinics are attempting to create home hemodialysis programs that both, benefit their patients and increase profits. Home hemodialysis is a solid value proposition for the future of the dialysis industry. It holds tremendous potential that has remained virtually untapped to date. Home hemodialysis significantly reduces the need to hire and train more staff to keep up with the growing patient population. These savings in cost per treatment make it possible to treat at home within the current reimbursement paradigm while increasing profit margins on treating patients who are beneficiaries of Medicare. New machines with better safety features and easier to use interfaces will increase confidence in patients’ ability to administer their own care. Machines that reduce the need for infrastructural changes at home.