New York Dialysis Provider Coalition

DaVita is one of the major dialysis care providers in the United States and has the largest dialysis chain organization in New York. In addition to providing dialysis care, DaVita takes an active role in educating patients and lobbying for policy reforms to improve dialysis healthcare. In New York, DaVita provides dialysis care to over 6,000 patients across 53 clinics and 12 hospital partners. Providers in the dialysis market encounter many challenges, including inadequate reimbursements, non-emergency patient transportation, and emergency Medicaid care. DaVita seeks to ascertain the potential benefits of a coalition of dialysis providers, specifically in terms of improving patient care and mitigating the challenges faced by providers. The Capstone team performed a cost/benefit analysis based on literature reviews, an environmental scan, and market surveys on the benefits of forming the coalition that involves other chain organizations and independent providers. The team presented recommendations to DaVita on the benefits of forming/joining a coalition and the cost/risk this would entail. They also weighed the cost/benefit of a coalition against the alternative of standing alone as a chain organization.