Medicare: Millions in End-Stage Renal Disease Expenditures Shifted to Employer Health Plans

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the effects of extending the coverage time for which employer-provided group health plans would be expected to pay medical expense claims of beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), focusing on: (1) the number and geographic distribution of such beneficiaries; (2) annual Medicare savings; (3) the effect of the extension on employment based health insurance.