New study shows that dialysis is starting earlier and increasing costs.2
Researchers have found that patients with kidney disease are starting dialysis at higher levels of kidney function. In the study, "Trends in timing of initiation of chronic dialysis in the United States," researchers from Washington state and California found that over a 10-year period between 1997-2007, patients started dialysis treatment on average five months earlier.
Using data from both the United States Renal Data System and the Group Health Research Institute, the research team estimated that earlier treatments translate into 63 additional hemodialysis treatments, 189 or more hours of treatment and approximately $14,490 in additional payments for each patient. This extrapolates out to more than $1.5 billion for patients in the study who initiated dialysis in 2007.
Recognition of the early signs of renal disease and other related conditions is key.
The MIB Checking Service lets you quickly identify applicants with abnormal kidney function and chronic kidney disease by reporting abnormal lab tests for proteinuria (protein/creatinine ratio) on both a persistent and intermittent basis. Additionally, MIB reports on Microalbuminuria, a test linked to the early identification of diabetic kidney disease as well as 'out-of-range' kidney function tests (BUN, serum creatinine)-all reliably reported from paramedical lab tests and/or attending physician statements.
MIB also helps you identify the presence of diseases and conditions commonly associated with persistent elevated proteinuria such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
To learn why so many health insurers are using MIB to get their book of business in the best possible shape moving toward 2014, visit www.mib.com/health or call Doug Mertz at 781.751.6406 or email dmertz@mib.com.
1 National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org/kidneydisease
2"Chronic dialysis for kidney disease patients now started substantially earlier", UW-Group Health- led study published in Archives of Internal Medicine. www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/ghri-cdf101011.php
The MIB Checking Service is provided by MIB, Inc. and sold to health plans and insurers by MIB Solutions, Inc., subsidiaries of the MIB Group, Inc.
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