Table 2. Characteristics of dialysis payment in each country studied based on specific cost variables (online).

		Canada41	Australia42	United Kingdom32
Health system		Socialized		Socialized
Payment mechanism for dialysis		Case rate	Case rate	Case rate with payment by results program
Direct costs
Patient evaluation/recruitment, training costs		Within	Within or standard	Within
Home preparation		NC	Min (via patient grant)	NC
Machine costs—amortized over 8–10 years or annual rental		Standard	Within	Standard
Pump		Standard	Within	Standard
Consumables and peripheral costs		Standard	Within	Within
Total allied health-care costs (including nursing, technicians, social workers)		Standard	Within	Standard
Weigh scales, special chairs, storage carts, over bed tables, water purification device, wetness detector		Standard	Within	Standard
Renal medication costs (total)		Standard	Within	Standard
Dialysis monitoring-related laboratory costs		Standard	Within	Standard
Hospitalization costs		Out of program	Out of program	Out of program
Costs of in-center runs		Standard	Within	Standard
Dialysis-related home utility costs		NC	Standard (from patient block grant)	Min
Facility costs		Within	Within	Within
Utility costs (water and electricity)		NC	Min (via patient grant)	Min
Indirect cost variables
Travel costs to and from dialysis		NC	Standard (from patient block grant)	Min
Lost productivity		NC	NC	Min

Abbreviations: Min, payer provides minimal benefit, potential out-of-pocket payment from patient; NC, not covered; Out of program, cost born by payer outside renal replacement therapy program; Standard, payer covers routine costs; Within, cost not separately reimbursed, but captured within global payment rate.