Pilot kidney health management program offered to URMBT Blue Cross non-Medicare members starting in May

Chronic kidney disease affects more than 1 in 7 U.S. adults, and the majority of people aren’t aware they have it, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. To address this challenge, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is working with Healthmap Solutions, an independent specialty population management company that offers a kidney health management solution.

This small-scale pilot program targets UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust non-Medicare members diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, or CKD, stages 3 through 5, unspecified CKD and end-stage renal disease. Outreach to physicians is underway. Select members will be encouraged to register, starting in May. There is no cost for them to participate.

Using member and provider-facing teams, this program will complement office-based primary and specialty care services with care navigation to educate members while incorporating kidney-related comorbidity management and addressing unmet social needs. Among the goals are to slow disease progression, prevent unnecessary admissions and readmissions, and ensure appropriate transitions of care.

Healthmap will work with members and health care providers to assist in coordinating the start of dialysis or developing a personal renal replacement therapy plan to avoid unplanned dialysis.

If you have any questions or need additional information, send an email to jmurray2@bcbsm.com.