• Belinda Tommey, Paul Skluzacek, Melissa Echols, LeAnn Phelps, Mollyn Shew, and Alexander Liang.
• Dallas Nephrology Associates, 1505 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234. Email: tommeyb@dneph.com.
• Am J Manag Care. 2024 Dec 1; 30 (Spec. No. 13): SP999SP1012SP999-SP1012.

ObjectivesIn 2016, Dallas Nephrology Associates recognized that the economic, humanistic, and societal burden of end-stage kidney disease was unsustainable and the fee-for-service model of reimbursement did not support a value-based care approach. We decided to be proactive by creating new workflows, education, and disease management so that patients could make well-informed choices, ultimately resulting in better outcomes.MethodsOur shift toward value-based care focused on patient engagement, education, integrated infrastructure, collaboration, and monitoring of metrics associated with improved outcomes. Our practice invested millions of dollars in a population health division, which includes nurse navigators and data analysts focused on managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), delaying progression, and promoting transplantation and home-based dialysis.ResultsThis retrospective review demonstrates improved outcomes, lower costs, and increased quality of care. Performance metrics have consistently met or exceeded targets. Seventy-three percent of patients now experience an optimal planned start to dialysis. Preemptive transplantation referrals have increased from 7% in 2017 to 61% through June 2023. Referral of patients with stage 4 CKD to educational workshops increased from 38% to 68%, and medical nutrition therapy referrals increased from 23% to 67%. Although reimbursement challenges persist, our commitment to improving care and slowing CKD progression remains steadfast. We emphasize teamwork, robust analytics, and continuous improvement. Future initiatives include encouraging patients receiving in-center hemodialysis to convert to home-based dialysis, addressing behavioral health, and focusing on preventable complications in high-risk patients.ConclusionsBy embracing value-based models, we have demonstrated that a patient-centered approach can lead to improved outcomes and value for payers.

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