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New chronic kidney disease program for Medicare Advantage members
December 10, 2021

This article is for the dialysis centers, nephrologists, primary care providers, and hospitals caring for our members

To complement the care and quality of life for our Medicare Advantage members with chronic kidney disease, we’re partnering with a specialty kidney care provider in 2022. This will allow us to deliver, at no additional cost, personalized support to our members.

Kidney education and transplant assistance

Beginning January 1, 2022, Medicare Advantage members will have access to services from Square Knot Health, an independent company focused on patients with advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 4, 5, and End Stage Kidney Disease). Square Knot Health is a supplemental benefit offering for our Medicare members.*

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Care Management team will identify and engage eligible patients to help them register for the Square Knot Health program, if they choose to participate.

Square Knot Health educates, assesses, and mentors members with chronic kidney disease as they consider treatment options, including transplantation. They pair members with a specially trained kidney disease navigator to meet with through video and phone calls. The navigator partners with nephrologists, primary care physicians, and transplant centers to offer eligible patients:

  • Assessment of their transplant candidacy
  • Help navigating the transplant system and identifying potential donors
  • Support and education services
  • Remote monitoring of their care.

*Members with the following comorbidities are excluded from the program: Alzheimer’s and other significant dementias, some chemotherapies, and members on permanent home oxygen and ventricular assist devices.

How to refer a patient to the program

Complete the Referral for Health Management Programs & Services form.

  • Be sure to check off the Medicare Advantage Case Management box on the bottom left section of the form.
  • Please add a note to the Reason for Referral section that this request is designated for chronic kidney disease through the Square Knot program.
  • Email the completed form to MedAdvCMReferrals@bcbsma.com, or fax it to 617-246-4189.

Like you, we want to help your patients live their best quality lives. While participation in the program is voluntary for your patients, we encourage you to talk with them about the potential benefits, including:

  • Support in implementing your patient care plan
  • Care coordination between providers
  • Resources to answer patient questions
  • Help guiding patients to community resources and peer groups
  • Education for patients on the treatment of kidney failure  
  • Early planning for kidney transplant prior to the need for dialysis. Transplantation is the treatment of choice for kidney failure due to lower morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life.
  • Assistance overcoming barriers that may prevent listing for kidney transplant.

Questions?

For questions about the Square Knot Health Program, please send an email to MedAdvCMReferrals@bcbsma.com, or call our Medicare Care Management team at 1-800-392-0098.

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