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The Comprehensive End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Care (CEC) Model reduced Medicare payments and hospitalizations among beneficiaries with ESRD, suggesting that specialty-oriented accountable care organization (ACO) models may offer more benefits than primary care-based ACO models, according to a Health Affairs study sent to journalists.
CMS launched the CEC Model in October 2015 as the first specialty-oriented ACO. The model offers financial incentives for dialysis facilities, nephrologists, and other Medicare providers to form ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) to coordinate care for individuals with ESRD.
Under this model, specialty providers take on financial responsibility for the total cost of care instead of primary care providers.