Characteristics of Nephrologists Participating in Medicare’s Comprehensive ESRD Care Initiative

Medicare’s Kidney Care Choices models, voluntary alternative payment models implemented in 2022, aim to expand access to high-value nephrology care.1,2 These models build on incentives tested in the Comprehensive ESRD [End-Stage Renal Disease] Care (CEC) Initiative during 2015-2021. Under the CEC Initiative, provider groups called ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs), comprising at least 1 nephrologist and 1 dialysis facility, voluntarily assumed responsibility for the costs and quality of all inpatient and outpatient services delivered to attributed beneficiaries.