Sept. 6, 2024
We’re providing in-home urine albumin-creatinine ratio test kits to a select number of eligible members who have diabetes and, based on our data, need a uACR test for their kidney health. The uACR kits are provided to selected Blue Community HMOSM members at no additional charge.
If any of your patients receive a kit and contact you with questions, consider discussing their screening options and encouraging them to complete the kit to learn more about their health.
How in-home testing works: The process is quick and easy for members.
- Vendors send the kits to a sample of eligible members who need a uACR test to close a gap in their care. Completing the kit is voluntary.
- The kits don’t require fasting, dietary restrictions or preparation. Members may take medications according to their normal schedule.
- Members complete the test kit at home. They provide the name of their health care provider, if available, and mail the test for processing to the vendor by Dec. 31, 2024. An addressed, postage-paid envelope is included with the kit.
- The vendor sends results to the member and to their provider in three to four weeks.
If you receive test results: Please document them in your patients’ medical records and discuss the results with them.
Monitoring our members’ kidney care: We track the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) measure Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes.
The measure tracks members ages 18 to 85 with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) who received a kidney health evaluation during the measurement year. An evaluation includes a blood test for kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate) and a uACR test for kidney damage.
HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.