KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Do you know the most common billing errors? Can you really get sent to collections for not paying? How do you dispute a medical bill? Lisa Zamosky, writer for the Los Angeles Times consumer health column, Health 411, as well as WebMD's Health Insurance Navigator blog, shares tips on how to deal with medical billing errors. They happen more often than you might think, but they are sometimes prevent...

Effective communication is the key to a successful partnership and it is important that people who are on dialysis are involved in their care to receive the best outcome. Debra J. Hain, PhD, APRN, GNP-BC explains how patients can engage their dialysis team to become informed consumers and how establishing a partnership can benefit both you and your dialysis team.

Deborah Ramsey is definitely a glass half full kind of gal and you won't find much grass growing under her feet. She had a kidney transplant 24 years ago and has had a few challenges to overcome. Despite her many obstacles she continues to be a positive force in her community. You will feel inspired after listening to her amazing outlook on life.

People who have received a kidney transplant who have Medicare will lose their Medicare benefits 36 months post-transplant, if they are not disabled or are not over the age of 65. If a transplant recipient does not have health insurance and/or access to the medications that keep the organ viable, it leaves them at risk of losing their transplant due to rejection. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M....

Over the years many advancements have been made in how the matching of donor kidneys to recipients is determined. Dr. Rafael Villicana is Associate Director of Kidney Transplantation at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California and explains blood type compatibility, antigen match and how antibodies tell if the kidney is suited for the recipient. Learn about blood type incompatibility, kidney swaps a...

If you have had a transplant, blood transfusion or a child, you might have antibodies that prevent you from getting transplanted. Dr. Stanley Jordan of Cedar Sinai Medical Center describes this breakthrough treatment called "desensitization" which allows people with high antibodies to receive a successful kidney transplant. Listen to Lori's story about how she underwent this treatment protocol whi...

Ken Kleinberg, high powered entertainment attorney, didn't know anything about kidney disease until his doctor told him his kidneys were failing, and he would need dialysis or a transplant to survive. Ken turned his misfortune into an opportunity to help others, by starting the University Kidney Research Organization (UKRO), to help find a cure for this devastating disease. USC, Natalie Cole and D...

Twin sisters Ana and Isa, both born with cystic fibrosis (CF), have had three double-lung transplants between them and are the picture of resilience and fortitude. Academy Award nominated producer Marc Smolowitz, who directed the newly released documentary film "THE POWER OF TWO", discusses the highlights of the film with Lori, about Ana and Isa's quest to advocate and educate their peers, especia...

Going back to work and finding a job can be difficult when you have a disability. Dan OBrien, former Assistant Commissioner of the Ticket to Work Program, explains to Lori what the Ticket to Work program is, who is eligible to apply and how to participate. In this interview you will learn how it can help you and what you need to do to get started.

Mary Wu is no stranger to overcoming adversity. As a young child she had to overcome kidney disease, and has since grown into a lovely young lady, wise beyond her years. Lori and Mary talk with humor and grace about the transition from pediatrics to adulthood. By the end of the show, they find that they have more in common than they knew.

Renae Jacob was diagnosed with type-one diabetes and was told that her kidneys would fail someday and she would need a kidney transplant. Luckily, she was able to receive a kidney from her girlfriend. Diabetes impacts the pancreas and Ranae learned she was a candidate for a clinical trial of islet cell transplant which, if proved successful, would end the need to take insulin and would help her pa...

Remembering what meds to take, at the right time, and making sure you have adequate supply can sometimes be daunting. Donna G. Brooten describes an online medicine management system that will help you stay on track and provides personalized print outs (you can receive text messages too) of your medication regimen. Be on top of your medicine management and dazzle the docs.

It is important to know your dialysis treatment options and peritoneal is a great choice for people who want to have more control, a more liberal diet and freedom with their dialysis schedule. Lori, who was on this therapy for nine years, interviews Stephanie Curd, RN, and Director of Home Therapies with Fresenius Medical Care. They both know the ins and outs of peritoneal dialysis so if you want...

Larry Green is an accomplished artist and spent many of his dialysis days drawing his access arm capturing the different needle angles, tape and changes he saw occurring to help pass the time. He was becoming restless with the time dialysis took. One day he had an epiphany and realized that if he wanted to get off of dialysis and get transplanted, he would have to take control. Here is the amazing...

David Rosenbloom, author of Becoming Me, shares the emotional evolution he experienced while dealing with the many challenges of kidney failure. He shares insight into how his wife was his advocate and champion, but became overwhelmed after two transplant opportunities had fallen through, which caused her to have some health issues. This incident caused David to make changes in his life, attitude...

There's a guide for this? Yes. Toni Bernhard, former law professor, authored "How To Be Sick" after learning she may never recover from an undiagnosed illness. The flu-like symptoms that keep her in bed most of the time, also led her to find ways to live well with a chronic illness. Listen to her story and learn how Buddhist practices can help overcome the anger, jealousy and other emotions that p...

Jim Dineen is no stranger to adversity. His quick wit and outlook on life is contagious. In this interview, Jim explains some of the obstacles he has undergone while living with kidney disease and provides tips and strategies from his new book that was recently published.

Denise Eilers, RN talks about a subject that is not warm and fuzzy. She went through it with her husband and shares her story of why she would have liked her husband to have prepared a written document. End of Life issues are important to discuss with your family and healthcare team so that your wishes are carried out and it ensures your family they are carrying out your wishes. A member of the Ne...

Cynthia West, MD and Allyson Almeida, RD know that good nutrition is one of the most important factors for living well on dialysis. Often patients need to make major changes to their diet once they start dialysis and that can be a daunting task. Stephen and Lori talk about the difficulties of adhering to the dialysis diet and learn tips from the authors that are in their new pocket size booklet th...

The dialysis industry will be encountering one of the biggest financial payment changes in decades. The term is called "bundling of care." Medicare pays one lump sum for dialysis services and the dialysis providers need to figure out how to deliver quality care and sustain profit margins to stay in business. Diane Wish, RN, President of the National Renal Administrators Association and CEO of Dial...

In 1986, Ed Hearn fulfilled his childhood dream as a member of the World Champion New York Mets. The following year with the Kansas City Royals, he was set to make those big "million dollar bank deposits" today's professional athletes are accustomed to, when suddenly, a serious shoulder injury brought a premature end to a very promising and brilliant career. Today, after three life-saving kidney t...

Valen Cover has an inspiring story of making lemons into lemonade, which made her the focus of an award winning book called, My Favorite American. She was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease at a very young age. Her triumphs and challenges of growing up with this illness taught her what is important in life and has lead her to a path of educating others. She shares her inspiring story, coping...

Who said dialysis requires water limits? Bill Peckham's adventures on the water say it's not so. Listen to an interview with the 20 year dialysis veteran, as he shares his travel stories, and see why, with dialysis, you can still have an adventurous life.

When you have an illness it can be tough to find a loving partner to share your life with who understands the unique challenges kidney disease presents. Marissa and Tom Carr reveal their journey from friendship to courtship to marriage. As Elizabeth Browning said, "Love doesn't make the world go around, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

Susie Gonzalez is in the process of her kidney transplant puttering out and will need dialysis again. Lori and Susie share their journey of how they are coping with losing a beloved kidney and some of the warning signs they encountered. They also share coping strategies and what you can do to delay the progression of kidney failure.