Marrufo G, Colligan EM, Negrusa B, et al. - Researchers assessed the link of the Comprehensive End-Stage Renal Disease Care (CEC) model with Medicare payments, health care utilization, as well as quality of care. The shift in outcomes was estimated, using a difference-in-differences design, for 73,094 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aligned to CEC dialysis facilities between the baseline and intervention periods, compared with 60,464 beneficiaries at matched dialysis facilities. For CEC beneficiaries vs the comparison group, reduction in total Medicare payments by $114 in payments per beneficiary per month was evident, related mainly with reductions in payments for hospitalizations and readmissions. Payment decreases were offset by shared savings payments to ESRD Seamless Care Organizations, causing net losses of $78 in payments per beneficiary per month. Experts reported 5.01 fewer hospitalizations per 1,000 beneficiaries per month, as well as fewer catheter placements and fewer hospitalizations for end-stage renal disease complications for CEC beneficiaries vs the comparison group. A rise in total dialysis sessions and payments was seen, indicating enhanced adherence to dialysis treatments. As per early revelations from the CEC model, decreased payments and improved quality of care were noted in relation to a specialty accountable care organization model focused on a specific population.