Each March, National Kidney Month gives us an important reminder: chronic kidney disease is common, serious and often completely silent. But sometimes, one conversation — one moment of connection — can make all the difference.
At Signify Health, we see this every day during our in‑home health visits. Recently, a story from our team reminded me of just how powerful early detection can be.
Last year, one of our clinicians, Emily, a nurse practitioner in Indiana, prepared for a routine In‑Home Health Evaluation (IHE) with a health plan member. Before the visit, Emily reviewed the member's health information, and three things stood out:
Emily knew when these factors were considered together, it significantly increased a person’s risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). During the IHE visit, Emily encouraged the member to follow up with their primary care provider (PCP) for additional kidney testing.
Afterwards, the member called Signify Health to say thank you. The follow‑up visit with their PCP revealed stage 3 chronic kidney disease that was caught much earlier than it would have been without another test. If Emily hadn’t brought it up, the member said, “there’s no telling what would have happened.”
Stories like this are meaningful because they highlight a simple truth: Early kidney testing saves lives.
More than 35.5 million adults, over one in seven people, in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, but up to 90% of them don’t know it. CKD is often called a “silent killer” because symptoms rarely appear in the early stages. Most people feel healthy while kidney function quietly declines.
Kidneys filter more than 50 gallons of blood per day to remove waste, regulate blood pressure, balance minerals and support red blood cell production. If your kidneys are not working well, toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate in your body and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and even early death. By the time signs like swelling, fatigue or changes in urination appear, the disease may already be advanced.
That’s why testing is so important. A blood test (creatinine/eGFR) and urine test (albumin) can reveal kidney problems long before symptoms start.
Some health conditions raise your chances of developing CKD:
If any of these apply to you, routine screening is especially important.
The good news? You have more control over your kidney health than you might think. Here are steps you can take today:
For many people, getting to a clinic isn’t easy. That’s why Signify Health offers no‑cost, in‑home health visits for eligible health plan members. It’s a convenient way to check blood pressure and review risk factors, and eligible members can receive preventive or diagnostic screenings or tests such as a kidney health test right at home.
These visits help catch health issues earlier, connect people with their primary care providers and empower members to take charge of their health. Whether kidney health testing occurs in the home or a referral for testing is made during the visit, members gain insights into their kidney health — just like the health plan member who discovered she had stage 3 CKD thanks to Emily’s visit.
Chronic kidney disease is common and often silent, but with early screening and healthy habits, it’s also highly preventable. Consider taking one simple step today: get tested. A single test can make all the difference.
You can check to see if you are eligible for an In-Home Health Evaluation at no cost to you. Go to www.hellosignify.com or call 1-855-984-6121.