On November 6, 2008, CMS will host a Special Open Door Forum to discuss a Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act provision that provides coverage for Kidney Disease Patient Education Services for individuals with Stage IV chronic kidney disease (CKD).  Among other things, CMS is seeking comments on: specific competencies for referring clinicians and the qualified individual providing the education services; accepted clinical criteria for diagnosing someone with Stage IV CKD; information needed for informed patient decisionmaking; and appropriate modalities of education.