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DaVita's New Partnership with Humana to Boost Kidney Care

In a significant move to improve healthcare for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), DaVita has announced a new value-based care agreement in collaboration with Humana. This initiative, launched on July 1, aims to provide coordinated and comprehensive care to Humana's Medicare Advantage members who are dealing with CKD stages 3B to 5.

This partnership builds upon the longstanding collaboration between the two organizations, which has historically focused on end-stage kidney disease. However, this new approach expands care further upstream in the disease progression, where timely intervention can yield the most impactful outcomes. By addressing CKD at earlier stages, DaVita intends to deliver preventive measures that help delay or even prevent the need for dialysis, while also reducing hospitalization rates for patients.

Dr. Sonia Samagh, the national medical director for DaVita Integrated Kidney Care, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "We are in a therapeutic revolution across kidney care where upstream interventions are helping to reshape patient outcomes." Through this partnership, patients will receive advanced care that not only focuses on preserving kidney function but also treats the whole patient by addressing interconnected aspects of health, including cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.

This proactive care model will benefit more than 10,000 patients by emphasizing early engagement and continuous support throughout their healthcare journey. The comprehensive program aims to identify potential issues early on, especially during a critical period when kidney function may decline but often goes unnoticed or untreated. By stabilizing kidney health early, DaVita strives to impede disease progression effectively.

Furthermore, the collaboration aims to fill critical gaps in care, particularly for patients facing complex health situations. While some patients may still require advanced treatment options, such as dialysis or transplant, the partnership intends to prepare them for such transitions with informative guidance and coordinated support. Patients will have access to an interdisciplinary care team that will assist with various challenges, such as nutritional needs, mental health concerns, and logistical issues like transportation to medical appointments.

Dr. Samagh commented on the significance of uncovering systemic health concerns linked to kidney health: "The kidneys are often an early indicator that something else is happening systemically within the body. To truly care for the kidneys, we must uncover and address those underlying health issues. When we do this, we can work to preserve kidney function, support reduced hospitalizations and enhance patients' quality of life."

DaVita's Commitment to Kidney Care

As a trusted provider in healthcare, DaVita has been at the forefront of kidney care for over 25 years, emphasizing clinical quality and innovative approaches to patient management. DaVita Integrated Kidney Care is part of this commitment, designed to support patients at various stages of kidney disease, from preventive care to transplantation services.

The company currently operates approximately 3,266 outpatient dialysis centers worldwide, serving about 298,500 patients, and is recognized for significantly reducing hospitalization rates and mortality connected to advanced kidney disease. With the establishment of this new partnership with Humana, DaVita's rejuvenated approach to CKD care hopes to set a new standard in the medical community, ensuring comprehensive support for patients facing challenges related to kidney health.

For more information on DaVita and its services, visit DaVita's official website.