Definitions — Maine Code § 2041.

§ 2041.. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 1997, c. 658, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Agreement.  "Agreement" means a written document executed between an ESRD facility and another facility in which the other facility agrees to assume responsibility for furnishing specified services to patients and for obtaining reimbursement for those services.

2.  Arrangement.  "Arrangement" means a written document executed between an ESRD facility and another facility in which the other facility agrees to furnish specified services to patients but the ESRD facility retains responsibility for those services and for obtaining reimbursement for them.

3.  Dialysis.  "Dialysis" means a process by which dissolved substances are removed from a patient's body by diffusion from one fluid compartment to another across a semipermeable membrane. The 2 types of dialysis that are in common use are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

4.  End-stage renal disease or ESRD.  "End-stage renal disease" or "ESRD" means that stage of renal impairment that appears irreversible and permanent and requires a regular course of dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain life.

5.  ESRD facility.  "ESRD facility" means a renal dialysis center, a renal dialysis facility, a self-dialysis unit or a special-purpose renal dialysis facility.

6.  Renal transplantation center. 

7.  Renal dialysis center.  "Renal dialysis center" means a hospital unit that is approved to furnish the full spectrum of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services required for the care of ESRD dialysis patients, including inpatient dialysis furnished directly or under arrangement. A hospital need not provide renal transplantation to qualify as a renal dialysis center.

8.  Renal dialysis facility.  "Renal dialysis facility" means a unit that is approved to furnish dialysis services directly to ESRD patients. "Renal dialysis facility" includes a self-dialysis unit or a special-purpose renal dialysis facility.

9.  Self-dialysis unit.  "Self-dialysis unit" means a unit that is part of an approved renal dialysis center or renal dialysis facility and furnishes self-dialysis services.

10.  Special-purpose renal dialysis facility.  "Special-purpose renal dialysis facility" means a renal dialysis facility that is approved to furnish dialysis at special locations on a short-term basis to a group of dialysis patients otherwise unable to obtain treatment in the geographical area. The special locations must be either special rehabilitative locations, including vacation locations, serving ESRD patients temporarily residing at those locations or locations in need of ESRD facilities under emergency circumstances.