This is a summary of an article recently published in Becker's Hospital Review,
authored by Hani Sefain, PharmD, at CarelonRx; and Nilesh Gangan, PhD, at Carelon Research.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) remains a formidable public health challenge, affecting over 35 million adults in the United States. Alarmingly, about 90% of adults with CKD do not realize they have the condition, making early detection crucial to managing its progression. The silver lining? CKD can indeed be detected early, offering a significant opportunity for improving patient outcomes and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Contending with the quiet nature of CKD
CKD often progresses quietly, lacking early symptoms that would prompt immediate medical action. This is particularly concerning for those with diabetes or high blood pressure, who are at heightened risk of advanced CKD stages requiring dialysis or transplant. Fortunately, a combination of two simple lab tests — the blood-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) — can assess kidney health and facilitate early diagnosis.
However, historically low screening rates indicate a gap in care. To address this challenge, CarelonRx, in collaboration with Carelon Research, is leading efforts to identify and assist health plan members needing timely CKD screenings.
Empowering change through data
Analyzing medical claims and social determinants of health (SDoH) data from 2021-2022, Carelon Research uncovered critical insights into CKD screening among health plan members with Type 2 diabetes. Key findings revealed that:
- Only 34% of eligible members received both recommended eGFR and uACR tests.
- An additional 46% underwent partial screenings, usually only the eGFR blood test.
- Notably, 20% of commercial members and 10% of Medicare Advantage members missed both tests altogether.
The path forward
By employing a data-driven approach, CarelonRx is collaborating with various partners to target areas with low screening rates and engage care providers to enhance CKD testing. These efforts aim to bridge screening gaps and deliver substantial benefits including:
- Improved member outcomes: Early detection and intervention can halt disease progression.
- Cost savings: Preventing advanced CKD stages reduces costly interventions like dialysis.
- Healthier lives: Identifying CKD early paves the way for better quality of life for patients and their families.
CarelonRx’s ongoing commitment to assessing and refining these initiatives promises a future where CKD awareness becomes the norm, delivering healthier outcomes for all.
Read the full article here: How Carelon leverages data to encourage early detection of chronic kidney disease for high-risk patients - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis
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