March is National Kidney Month. While we work hard all year long to help fight the scourge of chronic kidney disease (CKD), now is an especially good time for an exciting new partnership. We’re teaming up with Medica, the mission-driven nonprofit health insurance plan that is one of the largest of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Together, we’re launching a pragmatic trial granting at-risk plan members the opportunity to test their kidney function from home.
Members with diabetes and/or hypertension, two conditions that increase the risk of CKD, will receive free albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) urine test kits that can help detect the disease in its early, otherwise asymptomatic stages. Rather than visit the lab, they can take the test in the comfort of their home and receive results immediately after scanning the test with a smartphone app. The results can be quickly shared with their primary care provider, who can then take action to help prevent the progression of the disease.
CKD affects 37 million Americans, and 80% of individuals at risk for this disease fail to get tested for this life altering chronic condition, leading to delays in detection. Healthy.io’s smartphone-based ACR home testing solution can improve testing adherence by expanding access to care, while reducing costs and improving patient health. Medica has long pioneered innovative solutions for their members, and we’re proud to work with them to use technology that meets members where they are.
David Webster, M.D., Chief Clinical and Provider Strategy Officer at Medica, said:
“Medica is committed to finding healthcare solutions that make our members’ lives easier, healthier, and happier. Through our relationship with Healthy.io, we can provide at-risk members a simple way to get tested and assess their kidney function with immediate results.”
Since last Kidney Month, we’ve helped people across the globe test for CKD safely and effectively. The coming year is shaping up to be even more exciting. Next month we’re even sending our test kits to the International Space Station. Stay tuned for more news soon, as we bring kidney testing to Minnesota, the thermosphere—and everywhere in between.
