CMS ETC Penalties for Clinics with More Black and Uninsured Patients

CMS wanted the model to increase the numbers of patients on home dialysis and waitlisted for transplant. Instead, clinics with a (high) social risk score of 2+ had fewer home patients and were more likely to have the maximum cut of 5% in their Medicare reimbursement vs. clinics with a (low) social risk score of 0. Financial penalties were highest for clinics with more Black and uninsured patients.