CVS Kidney Care, Satellite Healthcare Enter Strategic Relationship to Advance the Care of Patients with Kidney Disease

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Mar 02, 2020, 16:30 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and SAN JOSE, Calif., March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Kidney Care, a CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) company, and Satellite Healthcare today announced a strategic relationship to advance the care of patients with kidney disease. CVS Kidney Care and Satellite Healthcare will collaborate to provide comprehensive kidney care, and to expand awareness of and access to transplantation and in-home dialysis – initially in two locations, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas.

"We have known for many years that more frequent, longer dialysis improves patient outcomes. Realistically this can only be done in the home. Our relationship with Satellite Healthcare will help us make this option a reality for more patients," said Alan Lotvin, M.D., Executive Vice President CVS Health and President of CVS Caremark. "We anticipate expanding this strategic relationship over time, as people with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure need earlier intervention and better options than they have today."

Satellite Healthcare is among the nation's leading not-for-profit providers of kidney dialysis and related services. It was the first health organization to launch comprehensive support for the entire spectrum of home self-care dialysis treatments. Together, the two companies will focus on increasing transplantation and the use of home therapies and will engage patients, payors, and physicians in these efforts. Ascend Clinical, the leading provider of clinical laboratory testing services to the dialysis community, was chosen to provide laboratory testing for CVS Kidney Care as part of this relationship.

"Satellite Healthcare has a long, rich history of delivering high-quality care for kidney patients. Through this strategic relationship with CVS Kidney Care, we will be able to educate patients earlier to delay disease progression, increase understanding of treatment options and offer our services to more patients. This is a win-win for the kidney community," said Rick Barnett, President & CEO, Satellite Healthcare.

CVS Health launched CVS Kidney Care to address the needs of patients at all points in their journey with a chronic kidney disease (CKD) management program, home dialysis services that the company is announcing today, and eventually – pending successful completion of a clinical trial and the receipt of regulatory approval – a new home hemodialysis device.

"Two years ago, we launched a strategic plan to transform kidney care," said Kari Holloway, General Manager, CVS Kidney Care. "Partnering with an organization known for delivering the highest standard of quality care represents the next phase in that plan. Combined with our care management services and future hemodialysis technology advancements, we are helping to guide the health care system from an overreliance on in-center dialysis to treatment delivered in the convenience of a patient's home."

In addition to the 37 million Americans who have kidney disease, nearly 700,000 have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Of those with ESRD, more than 500,000 are on active dialysis and more than 120,000 new ESRD cases are diagnosed each year. Financially, this disease represents a significant burden. Medicare spending for all beneficiaries who had CKD exceeded $84 billion in 2017. When adding an additional $36 billion for ESRD costs, total Medicare spending on both CKD and ESRD was over $120 billion, representing 33.8% of total Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) spending. Despite this high level of spending, outcomes for dialysis patients are poor, with one in six dialysis patients dying in the first year after starting treatment.

About CVS Health
CVS Health employees are united around a common goal of becoming the most consumer-centric health company in the world. We're evolving based on changing consumer needs and meeting people where they are, whether that's in the community at one of our nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, in the home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest offerings – from HealthHUB® locations that are redefining what a pharmacy can be, to innovative programs that help manage chronic conditions – are designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and more affordable experience. Learn more about how we're transforming health at http://www.cvshealth.com.

About Satellite Healthcare
Satellite Healthcare, Inc., has been among the nation's leading not-for-profit providers of kidney dialysis and related services since 1974. Through its affiliated services, Satellite WellBound, Satellite Dialysis, and Satellite Research, Satellite Healthcare provides unparalleled early patient wellness education, personalized clinical services, and a complete range of dialysis therapy choices. In addition, Satellite Healthcare has a well-recognized, enduring commitment to philanthropy and community service, from funding millions of dollars in research grants to sponsoring kidney programs nationwide. Satellite Healthcare is committed to advancing the standard of chronic kidney disease care so patients can enjoy a better life. For more information, visit satellitehealth.com.

Media Contact:
Erin Shields Britt
CVS Health
401-770-9237
[email protected]

Patrice Smith
Satellite Healthcare
650-464-5373
[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health