Concurrent Dialysis and Hospice—Outcomes, Perspectives, and Advocacy

Includes a Live Web Event on 07/16/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)

Hospice care is meant to provide comfort and dignity for people nearing the end of life, but for patients with kidney failure this decision is much more complicated. Currently, patients on dialysis must make the decision to stop dialysis if they want to receive hospice services. In Western Pennsylvania, we have piloted a concurrent hospice and dialysis program for eight years offering more individuals the opportunity to pass away in comfort with their family compared to most Medicare beneficiaries on dialysis.   This webinar will provide an overview of an effective model of concurrent hospice and dialysis that includes (1) timely goals-of-care conversations; (2) an interdisciplinary approach; (3) clear guidelines to ensure smooth transitions for patients and families; and (4) discussion of the need for Hospice payment policy that supports concurrent care, such as the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, a bipartisan bill that will address this issue and ensure that ESKD patients have the same access to hospice as Medicare beneficiaries with other end stage diagnoses. 

CE Credit: 1.00 | Post-Webinar Survey Required

Presented July 2026

Robert Taylor, MD

Robert Taylor, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Dialysis Clinic, Inc.

Robert Taylor, MD, DCI Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of REACH Kidney Care, has practiced nephrology for more than 20 years. He served on the executive team for a 30 physician nephrology practice in Middle TN and was the kidney transplant lead at a local health system prior to joining DCI and REACH in 2016; he also serves on the Board of Alive Hospice. Dr. Taylor assists Dr. Leanna Tyshler, REACH Kidney Care CMO, in leading the development of the REACH care model, continuing to evolve the REACH approach to most effectively meet the needs of patients. Dr. Taylor directs the provider outreach strategy for REACH, a foundational element of REACH’s success in the local communities it serves.

Jane Schell, MD

Jane Schell, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Jane Schell is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Section Chief of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics at the University of Pittsburgh, and is the Medical Director of UPMC’s Palliative and Supportive Institute. She is dual-trained in palliative medicine and nephrology. Her academic passion is improving palliative care within nephrology through education and innovative practice models. She developed a nationally recognized communication training, NephroTalk, designed for teach nephrology fellows and nephrologists palliative care communication skills for treatment decision-making and end of life care in patients with kidney disease. Her current research interests are focused on innovative programs to improve palliative care and hospice services in patients with kidney disease at end of life.

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Concurrent Dialysis and Hospice—Outcomes, Perspectives, and Advocacy Webinar
07/16/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)  |  60 minutes
07/16/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)  |  60 minutes Hospice care is meant to provide comfort and dignity for people nearing the end of life, but for patients with kidney failure this decision is much more complicated. Currently, patients on dialysis must make the decision to stop dialysis if they want to receive hospice services. In Western Pennsylvania, we have piloted a concurrent hospice and dialysis program for eight years offering more individuals the opportunity to pass away in comfort with their family compared to most Medicare beneficiaries on dialysis.   This webinar will provide an overview of an effective model of concurrent hospice and dialysis that includes (1) timely goals-of-care conversations; (2) an interdisciplinary approach; (3) clear guidelines to ensure smooth transitions for patients and families; and (4) discussion of the need for Hospice payment policy that supports concurrent care, such as the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, a bipartisan bill that will address this issue and ensure that ESKD patients have the same access to hospice as Medicare beneficiaries with other end stage diagnoses.
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Concurrent Dialysis and Hospice—Outcomes, Perspectives, and Advocacy Post-Webinar Survey
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Concurrent Dialysis and Hospice—Outcomes, Perspectives, and Advocacy CE Certificate
1.00 CE credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 CE credit  |  Certificate available
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