SNP Enrollment Cuts Mortality, Utilization Rates for ESRD Patients

Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a costly and complex population that often has other comorbidities and sees multiple physicians, may be better served in ESRD Special Needs Plans, a type of Chronic-Condition SNP, posits a new study in Health Affairs. Researchers studied members of Anthem, Inc.’s California-based CareMore Health ESRD SNPs from 2010 to 2013, and found that those who switched from fee-for-service Medicare to a CareMore SNP experienced reduced risk of death and overall lower health care utilization compared to the FFS population (see graphics below). SNPs can coordinate member care more closely, leading to improved adherence and better health outcomes, which in turn reduces costs, asserted the study, which was supported by a grant from the Anthem Public Policy Institute. The study authors — which included employees of Humana Inc. and Anthem/CareMore — said that while additional research is still needed, CMS could consider facilitating “the sharing of best practices across SNPs and to other ESRD delivery and financing models” as it considers new models of care, including the enrollment of ESRD patients in traditional Medicare Advantage plans starting in 2021.

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