Cigna launches effort to tackle costs of kidney disease care

Bloomfield-based Cigna and a Massachusetts health company have launched a national program aimed at lowering the cost of care for people undergoing dialysis for end-stage kidney disease.

The health insurer and Waltham, Mass.-based Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), which specializes in care for people with renal and other chronic conditions, announced the partnership Tuesday.

The program is part of Cigna Collaborative Care, a value-based model that uses incentives to engage healthcare providers. The new initiative is Cigna’s first value-based arrangement with kidney disease specialists.

Under the new initiative, Fresenius Medical Care will continue to be paid for the kidney dialysis services it provides to its Cigna patients, while its affiliate, insurer Fresenius Health Partners, will assume separate responsibility to manage medical costs and improve patient outcomes.

Read full story at the HartfordBusiness.com.