Comorbidity Ascertainment From the ESRD Medical Evidence Report and Medicare Claims Around Dialysis Initiation: A Comparison Using US Renal Data System Data

Discordance of comorbid condition designations from the Medical Evidence Report and claims around dialysis therapy initiation was substantial and significantly associated with patient characteristics, including location. These patterns may engender bias in risk-adjusted quality metrics. In lieu of the Medical Evidence Report, claims during the 3 months after dialysis therapy initiation may constitute a useful source of comorbid condition data.