Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does participation in the IOTA Model work?

• Some kidney transplant centers were chosen to be part of a new program that includes hospitals from all over the country. So far, 95 hospitals are included, and VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center is one of them.  By joining this program, our transplant team will take a closer look at how we care for patients, find out what makes it harder to get a kidney transplant, and come up with better ways to support people in the community. The goal is to help more people get kidney transplants by being open, sharing information, education, and improving care over the next six years.

How does the IOTA Model affect me, the Medicare patient?

• The IOTA Model does not change your Medicare benefits, choices, or rights. You can still go to any doctor, hospital, or health care provider that takes Original Medicare. You can also still get all the medical services you need that are covered by Medicare. Nothing about your care or your choices will be taken away.

What information will be shared about me?

• Medicare shares basic information about your care with your doctors and nurses. This includes things such as when you went to the doctor and what health problems you have. Sharing this information helps your health care team work better together to give you the best care.
• Your privacy is very important. The IOTA program makes sure your health information is kept safe. You also get to choose if your information is shared.
• If you don’t want Medicare to share your health information, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Tell them your doctor is part of the IOTA Model and you don’t want your information shared. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have trouble speaking, call 1-877-486-2048.

How can I make the most of getting care from the IOTA Model?

• If you have Medicare, you can pick or change your doctor anytime. A special doctor called a nephrologist helps take care of your kidneys. This doctor helps you understand your health, keeps track of your treatments, and watches how well you're doing. They work with you to make smart choices about your care.

How does the model help increase access to kidney transplants?

• The Increasing Transplant Access (IOTA) Model is a new plan that helps more people with serious kidney disease get a kidney transplant. Life is often better with a transplant than staying on dialysis. Right now, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney, but fewer than 20,000 transplants happen each year. This model helps transplant centers across the country do more kidney transplants to meet the growth of the national waitlist.

Here’s how it works:

• It encourages hospitals to look at how they decide which kidneys to accept, so everyone has a fair chance at getting a transplant. It also helps make sure the kidneys being used are healthy enough to keep people from needing to go back on dialysis.
• It gives support, education, and information to people who might want to donate a kidney to someone in need.
• It helps doctors, nurses, and care teams work better together and focus more on the patient.
• It works to make sure care is really good—before, during, and after the transplant.

The goal is to give more people a better chance at a healthy life with a kidney transplant.

How does the IOTA Model aim to improve care for people with end-stage renal disease?

• The model is designed to help people with serious kidney problems get better care. It does this by:
  • Making sure people waiting for a kidney transplant get the best care possible
  • Helping patients get transplants faster
  • Getting doctors, nurses, and care teams more involved before, during, and after the transplant
  • Giving more help and information to people who are thinking about donating a kidney

The goal is to make things easier and safer for everyone going through the transplant process.

What if I have concerns about being part of the IOTA Model?

Need Help or Have a Concern?

• If you have questions or worries about the care you get from your doctor, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
• If you use TTY, call 1-877-486-2048.
• You can also visit Medicare.gov for more information.

Think Something’s Wrong?

• If you think your doctor or any Medicare provider is doing something wrong, like cheating or lying, call the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS to report it.

Worried About Your Privacy?

• If you think your private health information was not protected, you can file a complaint.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit Medicare.gov, or go to hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint.
• Don’t worry—filing a complaint won’t change your Medicare coverage.

Any further questions please feel free to contact your coordinator or our program at 804-828-4104.