Signify Health is expanding its services with the addition of a new in-home testing option for chronic kidney disease.
The company, which recently joined the fold at CVS Health, will provide in-home health evaluations to its Medicare Advantage members at no additional cost, including urinalysis and estimated glomerular filtration rate testing, according to an announcement given first to Fierce Healthcare.
The goal is to better support early detection, diagnosis and management of kidney disease, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for Medicare Advantage enrollees.
Heidi Schwarzwald, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer of Signify Health Home and Community Services, told Fierce Healthcare that the testing will fit seamlessly into its existing in-home examination. A provider will come out to the patient's home and gather a full history, then will develop a treatment plan that could include additional testing, lifestyle changes, medication and possibly a referral to a nephrologist.
She said this model pairs well with CVS' broader focus on making healthcare accessible when and where patients need it most.
"I think this sort of ties into CVS' overall strategy of really creating better health and allowing everyone to access care in the way they need to access care," Schwarzwald said.
Signify noted that recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) project that 37 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease, and many are undiagnosed. About 40% of those with significantly reduced kidney function are not aware they have kidney disease, according to the CDC.
Patients whose chronic kidney disease goes untreated are at far greater risk for end-stage renal disease, which could drive an additional $37.3 billion in costs to Medicare, according to Signify. Offering patients a comprehensive evaluation for kidney disease can reduce the risk of comorbidity as well as slow disease progression.
Schwarzwald said the new in-home tests are "relatively easy tests" that many patients just aren't getting when they may need them. Providing the tests in the home costs less and is less disruptive to the patient's routine, which is key in getting them on board.
"I think that's why we're so excited," she said.