20 May Advancing Value-Based Kidney Care Through Risk-Aligned Partnerships
The Health Care Transformation Task Force released a new case study featuring Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s (Blue Cross NC’s) Advanced Kidney Care (AKC) program, a value-based specialty model focused on improving outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Through AKC, Blue Cross NC partners with kidney care providers who serve as an extension of the patient’s care team, delivering coordinated, kidney-focused care that addresses both clinical and non-clinical drivers of health. The program uses full risk-based arrangements to align incentives around quality, outcomes, and total cost of care.
Over the past three years, AKC has demonstrated reduced hospital admissions, fewer crashes into dialysis, and improved clinical outcomes, along with overall medical cost savings. In 2025, Blue Cross NC launched AKC 2.0 to build on these results.
This publication is part of a series on value-based specialty integration. Check out our case studies on oncology, cardiology, and dementia care.