Expanding Access to Personalized Kidney Care: Humana and Evergreen Nephrology Unite for Value-Based Treatment

As chronic kidney disease continues to affect millions of Americans, a significant healthcare partnership has emerged to transform how patients receive specialized treatment. Humana Inc., a major health and well-being services provider, has partnered with Evergreen Nephrology to develop an integrated care initiative that prioritizes patient outcomes and clinical quality for individuals managing kidney conditions.

Program Structure and Geographic Reach

The collaboration establishes a value-based kidney care model designed to connect Humana Medicare Advantage eligible members with specialized nephrology teams. This integrated approach brings together experienced professionals who work alongside treating nephrologists to deliver personalized, comprehensive support. The Evergreen Nephrology network operates across a substantial geographic footprint, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Addressing a Growing Healthcare Challenge

With more than one in seven Americans currently living with chronic kidney disease—and this figure trending upward—the healthcare industry faces mounting pressure to innovate care delivery models. Traditional fee-for-service approaches often leave kidney disease patients underserved, according to medical professionals in the field. This new partnership represents an effort to shift that paradigm by introducing evidence-based, patient-centered interventions.

The Value-Based Care Difference

Value-based care frameworks shift focus from volume-based service delivery to outcomes-driven care, emphasizing efficient resource utilization and improved patient quality of life. Tim Pflederer, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Evergreen Nephrology, highlighted the potential: “By combining Evergreen’s care model with Humana’s reach, we’re positioned to deliver comprehensive services that keep patients healthier and more active in their daily lives.”

Todd DeYoung, Associate Vice President of Specialty and Value-based Partnerships at Humana, emphasized the company’s commitment: “This program strengthens our existing member relationships while advancing the standard of kidney care. As chronic kidney disease prevalence rises, our strategy centers on expanding member access to high-quality, patient-friendly specialized care.”

How Evergreen Nephrology Supports Patient Outcomes

Evergreen Nephrology employs a patient-centric methodology that emphasizes shared decision-making and individualized treatment planning. The organization collaborates with nephrologists and healthcare partners to create holistic care experiences, enabling patients with chronic and end-stage kidney disease to play an active role in their own health management.

Looking Forward

This partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward specialized, outcome-focused care models. By combining Humana’s scale and Medicare Advantage network with Evergreen Nephrology’s clinical expertise, the initiative aims to establish a new standard for personalized, physician-directed kidney disease management across multiple states.