The Large Kidney Care Organizations’ Experience With the New Kidney Models

Abstract

Three years ago, the Advancing American Kidney Health executive order launched a substantial effort with the goals of delaying the progression of kidney disease while also increasing kidney transplantation and the utilization of home dialysis. Included among the initiatives created by this executive order are two new payment models under the supervision of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center. The End Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices model is a mandatory payment model impacting nephrologists and dialysis providers in many regions across the country. The Kidney Care Choices model offers nephrologists four voluntary options for participation in value-based care. The early experience of two large kidney care organizations highlights the improvements these payment models have demonstrated over prior kidney care payment models while also suggesting additional opportunities for improvement. These models offer nephrologists the opportunity to partner with other providers and deliver patient-centered care across the kidney care continuum. The models represent another step toward value-based care and, if successful, should yield great benefits for patients with kidney disease.