Holistic Renal Care with Embassy's Empower Program

Receiving comprehensive renal care from friendly staff who are committed to your well-being can make it easier to live with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

Embassy Healthcare Vice President of Business Development Mehri Stephenson answers questions about the advantages of Empower Renal.

What is Empower Renal?

It’s Embassy Healthcare’s renal program that’s designed to help you manage the symptoms associated with renal diseases.

Embassy employs a nephrologist and nurse practitioner who are responsible for renal patient care at skilled nursing facilities across Ohio.

“It’s an interdisciplinary team of nurses, dieticians and physical therapists who work in collaboration with our specialist and your personal nephrologist,” Mehri said.

The in-patient program requires an assessment before admittance to determine your needs and ensure Embassy provides you with the necessary support.

What Clinical Services are Available Through Empower Renal?

Renal care includes the following services:

• Medication management
• Nutrition management
• Physical, speech and occupational therapies
• Medical transportation
• Cardiac care
• Pain management
• IV therapy
• Social activities

Embassy does not offer onsite dialysis treatment but will arrange transportation to dialysis centers.

“Our goal is to take care of the patient outside of dialysis,” Mehri said. “The Empower Renal program is a great example of what Embassy is doing to increase our clinical capabilities in managing high acuity patients.”

The program provides a holistic approach to renal care to address comorbidities that result from acute kidney disease.

“You could be nutritionally challenged or have cardiac issues as a result of kidney disease,” Mehri said. “Patients may be sicker or need more management and monitoring than they receive at home.”

Aside from the nephrologist and nurse practitioner, Embassy’s renal care team includes dieticians, nurses, social service advocates and activity coordinators.

Why Is Clinical Coordination Important?

Hospitals don’t offer long-term medical management for renal care. The interdisciplinary teams at Embassy Healthcare make a collaborative effort to create a care plan unique to your needs.

“Admittance is based on what a hospital or primary care physician deems necessary,” Mehri said. “There’s a plan of care meeting within 72 hours to determine what services you’re going to receive during your stay.”

Renal care is available as a short- or long-term program. You might require more monitoring and support depending on the severity of your condition.

Clinical coordination keeps your entire team informed of your progress so they can provide the best service possible throughout your treatment.

“You can’t work individually in silos to get someone where they need to be,” Mehri said.

Embassy also offers credentials to third-party nephrologists, which allows your doctors to visit and administer renal care in outside facilities.

How Do I Pay for Renal Care?

Medicare: You can use government health insurance if you are 65 and older or have certain disabilities and are younger than 65. Medicare covers the cost of dialysis if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Medicaid: Dialysis treatment and other renal care is paid for by Medicaid Part A if you have ERSD.

Private insurance: Paying for the costs of renal care depends on your insurance. You may qualify for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act if you don’t have a policy through a private insurance company.

“Our admissions department is responsible for communicating with you, your family and the hospital to verify if your insurance will cover your stay,” Mehri said.

Embassy Healthcare offers social services to assist with insurance and payment inquiries, so the only thing you have to worry about is your health.

Call 216-378-2050 to learn more about Empower Renal and schedule a tour online.