Healthy.io and Blue Cross of Idaho have partnered to help Idahoans lead healthier lives by promoting early detection of kidney damage and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Through this partnership, Blue Cross of Idaho employees and Medicare Advantage members will receive Minuteful Kidney test kits. Through this collaboration, those at-risk for CKD will have a convenient way to test for kidney damage, with instant, clinical-grade results that are shared directly with their provider. This will increase albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) test completion and improve kidney health across the state.
“We felt that [Healthy.io] were a good partner for us for not only their engagement with members but how they coordinate with providers to really do a holistic [approach to] identifying kidney disease,” said Jill Alessi, Vice President of Health Care Operations at Blue Cross of Idaho, in an interview with the Idaho Business Review.
A recent study found that 38% of rural Idahoans reported that their primary care physician was between 25-100 miles from their home. Minuteful Kidney helps remove traditional barriers to care, like distance, by allowing members to complete their test where and when works best for them. Blue Cross of Idaho, a plan at the forefront of closing key care gaps for members, will work with us to advance health equity by increasing access to this critical test, even in rural or underserved communities.
Minuteful Kidney plays an important role in improving health equity by increasing access to a critical test that can facilitate the early detection of CKD. We are delighted to be working with Blue Cross of Idaho to put this reliable, easy-to-use test in the palm of so many hands across the state.”
People at risk for CKD should complete an annual ACR test, yet 80% don’t take the test. Providing accessible at-home testing options, such as Minuteful Kidney, helps members across all demographics receive much-needed healthcare services that are often out of reach. We look forward to working alongside Blue Cross of Idaho to improve kidney health in their communities.
