PQM Endorses NKF Measure to Boost Early CKD Detection
Event summary
- PQM endorsed NKF's Rate of Annual Kidney Health Evaluation measure for adults with diabetes/hypertension on September 9, 2026.
- Measure tracks eGFR and uACR tests for CKD detection in at-risk populations.
- Expands 2020 diabetes-focused measure to include hypertension patients.
- Electronic clinical quality measure integrates with EHR systems.
- CKD affects 37M US adults, with 90% unaware of their condition.
The big picture
The endorsement aligns with broader efforts to improve early detection of chronic diseases, particularly among high-risk populations. With CKD representing a significant portion of Medicare spending, this measure could influence healthcare cost trajectories. The integration with EHR systems suggests potential for scalable implementation across healthcare networks.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- How quickly healthcare systems will implement the measure across their patient populations.
- Impact on Testing
- Whether the measure will significantly increase CKD testing rates among at-risk patients.
- Cost Management
- The potential effect on Medicare spending as earlier detection could reduce long-term healthcare costs.