The Rationale, Implementation, and Effect of the Medicare CKD Education Benefit

Although it affects <1% of the US population, stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased in prevalence in the United States, grown 67% between the early 1990s and the first part of this decade. It is important to consider new strategies to slow or halt this increase. A frameshift in patient care delivery is underway in kidney health care in the United States with a Medicare education benefit for patients with stage 4 CKD. This Medicare benefit is a unique program that has the potential to inform patients and families about CKD and prepare them for transitions in health states and kidney health care. For the greatest value of this benefit to be realized, it is critical for the health care community to accurately gauge patient understanding of CKD and provide curricula that are comprehensible and actionable for patients. This type of benefit is patient centered, yet it will succeed only with a willingness to review its effectiveness and revise it if needed.