The Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes (KED) measure is designed to ensure that adults with diabetes receive appropriate annual screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes, and early detection is critical for preventing progression and improving long‑term health outcomes.
Why kidney evaluation matters:
- Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD, and early detection can significantly reduce the risk.
- Tests needed to close the gap provide a comprehensive view of kidney function and damage.
- Detecting CKD early through eGFR and uACR testing prevents progression to kidney failure, disability, and early death.
Measure information:
- 18-85 years old during the measurement year.
- Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, defined as either:
- ≥2 diabetes diagnoses on different dates in the measurement year or prior year
- ≥1 diabetes diagnosis in the last 730 days and a prescription for insulin/oral hypoglycemics in the last 730 days.
What is needed to close the gap:
- Both an eGFR and a uACR during the measurement period on the same or different dates of service:
- eGFR - Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Lab Test Value Set
- uACR
- Both a quantitative urine albumin test (Quantitative Urine Albumin Lab Test Value Set) and a urine creatinine test (Urine Creatinine Lab Test Value Set) with service dates four days apart or less.
- A Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio Lab Test Value Set
How to help:
- Patient education – ensure the member understands:
- What tests are needed.
- How often these tests need to be completed.
- Why having these tests completed is important to their health.
- Provider engagement and follow-up with members:
- Identifying patients who haven’t completed annual labs.
- Ensuring labs are completed.
- Discussion with patients on why labs are not being completed if applicable.
- Understanding members’ barriers to completing tests.
- Ensure albumin and creatinine urine tests are done within the 4‑day window when ordered separately.
- Patients who use external labs may complete only one test unless explicitly instructed.