Global Nephrology Solutions (GNS) is a physician-owned, nephrology solutions company with more than 425 providers and more than 900 employees supporting nephrologists who provide care across 12 states. The company recently announced its participation in Medicare’s Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting options of the Kidney Care Choices model, and has hired its first “chief value-based care officer.”
The Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting options launched Jan. 1, 2022, aligning with health providers to reduce costs and improve coordination of care for Medicare beneficiaries with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD).
GNS is beginning its value-based operations in four states—Arizona, California, Florida and Pennsylvania—where it serves roughly 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries. This builds on the company’s foundation of care coordination and experience participating in similar Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) value-based care efforts.
Tempe, Ariz.-based GNS, said its value-based kidney care model is built on one of the world’s largest clinical chronic kidney disease data warehouses. Real-time, comprehensive data informs proprietary predictive analytics that deliver actionable insights to nephrologists and care teams.
The company said nephrologists on its value-based care delivery platform gain access to industry-leading resources, data and tools to deliver value-based care, improve outcomes and elevate the overall patient experience.
“Value-based care is key to fulfilling our vision to fundamentally transform the delivery of renal care services,” said Rajiv Poduval, M.D., founding CEO of GNS, in a statement. “We’re both honored and excited to continue demonstrating how innovative payment models that empower patients to take an active role in their care and keep providers at the center of that care can lead to improved care outcomes.”
“Too many patients suffer from underlying disease complications and multiple co-morbidities. By encouraging patient education, kidney transplantation and alternative care that delay the need for dialysis, CKCC is an opportunity for nephrologists to be rewarded for high-quality care and innovative treatments that solve for these concerns,” added Gurdev Singh, M.D., founder and COO of GNS, in a statement.
As the company’s first chief value-based care officer, Chris Schmaltz will oversee the organization’s value-based care operations and all payer contracting. He will also work to further expand GNS’s value-based care footprint in partnership with providers and payer organizations.
Schmaltz previously worked in managed care with Alignment Healthcare (COO), Centene (Health Plan COO) and various leadership roles within UnitedHealth Group.
