Arkansas Kidney Disease Advisory Council

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE ARKANSAS KIDNEY DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL

ALL NEPHROLOGY SERVICES PROVIDERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Please be informed about legislative changes to the Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission (AKDC). These changes are a result of the enactment into law of HB 1456 (Act 852) of 2025- AN ACT TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Act 852 transitions the Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission to the Arkansas Kidney Disease Advisory Council under the State Board of Health for two primary purposes:

• The Arkansas Board of Health will appoint members to the new Advisory Council.

• Membership of the Advisory Council will be 7, to be constituted as follows:
  • Four (4) members must be physicians involved in renal medicine, from two practice categories:
    • Three (3) Arkansas licensed private practice physicians knowledgeable in renal medicine.
    • One (1) Arkansas licensed physician with institutional practice.
  • One (1) member must be a person in hospital administration.
  • One (1) member, a public representative interested in renal disease and who may be from an Arkansas nonprofit dedicated to renal disease, and
  • One (1) member a person aged 60 or older with no involvement in renal medicine.

Application is open for for the category of person aged 60 or older with no involvement in renal medicine.

• Arkanas Kidney Disease Advisory Council Membership Application

Overview

The Arkansas Kidney Disease Advisory Council was established by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas through Act 450 of 1971 to establish a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from chronic renal disease. The legislation charged the Arkansas Kidney Disease Program to “provide financial assistance for persons suffering from the chronic renal disease who require life-saving care and treatment to the extent as determined by the Advisory Council.

Financial Assistance for Prescription Medicine

If you suffer from chronic renal disease and need financial assistance for prescription medicines, we offer assistance. The client is required to utilize any available drug benefit before requesting the Arkansas Kidney Disease Program to provide prescription coverage as the program is identified as a payer of last resort.

The Arkansas Kidney Disease Program may pay up to three (3) of ESRD- related prescriptions per month. Medication paid for by the program must be consistent with the approved Arkansas Kidney Disease Program formulary. A client co-pay of $2.00 is required for each allowable medication. Program co-payment for immuno-suppressant drugs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Medicare allowable rate. Prior approval is required for Fosrenol, Renvela, and Sensipar.

Pharmacists Forms

• Pharmacist Letter
• Lab Approval Letter
• Arkansas Kidney Disease Program Prescription Formulary
• W-9

Financial Assistance for Dental Services

The Arkansas Kidney Disease Program is a payer of last resort and can assist with co-payment. Please be aware that because of funding, the Arkansas Kidney Disease Program cannot provide payment for such dental services as exams, x-rays, dentures, partials, root canals, crowns, etc.

The Arkansas Kidney Disease Program may assist with some dental costs when a dental problem jeopardizes the health and treatment program outlined by the renal specialist. This assistance will be for those clients awaiting kidney transplantation. Payments for services rendered will require prior approval of such treatments and follow the established dental fee schedule.

Dentists Requirements

• Arkansas Kidney Disease Program Dental Fee Schedule
• W-9

Arkansas Dialysis Centers

Click here to find a list of dialysis units near you.

Kidney Facts and Information

Kidney Facts and Information

• Anemia – English
• Anemia – Spanish
• Depression – English
• Depression – Spanish
• The Dialysis Machine – English
• The Dialysis Machine – Spanish
• Exercise for Life – English
• Exercise for Life – Spanish
• Fluid and Dialysis – English
• Fluid and Dialysis – Spanish
• Hemodialysis Adequacy – English
• Hemodialysis Adequacy – Spanish
• How to Talk to Your Healthcare Team – English
• How to Talk to Your Healthcare Team – Spanish
• Rehabilitation – English
• Rehabilitation – Spanish
• Restless Legs Syndrome – English
• Restless Legs Syndrome – Spanish
• Skin and Hair Problems on Dialysis – English
• Skin and Hair Problems on Dialysis – Spanish
• Traveling on Dialysis – English
• Traveling on Dialysis – Spanish
• Vascular Access – English
• Vascular Access – Spanish

Additional Information and Resources

• Rules for Arkansas Kidney Disease Advisory Council
• New Client Application
• Annual Eligibility Renewal Form
• American Associates of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
• National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
• Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services
• Baptist Health
• Arkansas Children’s Hospital
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Board Members

• Arkansas Kidney Disease Program Board Members