Patient Management and Outreach
Mount Carmel Health Partners, in partnership with an employer sponsored health plan, has assisted in the development of a comprehensive patient management and outreach program. The "Care Management Program" is designed to improve clinical outcomes, prevent or diminish the impact of chronic diseases, assist in care coordination and promote a healthier lifestyle for members of the employer sponsored health plan. The Care Management Program is a free, voluntary service for members of this health plan. Through this program, a registered nurse works in conjunction with Health Partners member physicians to assist the patient to control health conditions.
As of July 2009, 880 health plan members have been engaged by the Care Management Program. Medical conditions and chronic diseases affecting these members include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, smoking cessation, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and cancer. On average, members involved in the care management program had an annual healthcare expenditure rate of $13,300 in 2008. The average healthcare expenditure rate per member in the health plan was $5,007 in 2008.
Twenty-eight plan members have also been enrolled in a comprehensive care management program for weight loss designed to medically assist obese members to lose weight and reduce the cost of secondary conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The program lasted a total of 13 weeks. Summary statistics of this program include:
- Average weight loss of 31 pounds per member
- 924.6 pounds lost among all 28 members
- Five bariatric surgeries avoided for a savings of $143,110
- 35 medications were discounted
- 9 medications decreased dosage levels
- Medication reductions and discontinuations resulted in an annual savings of $31,716
- 10% reduction in blood pressure levels per member
- 10% reduction in blood glucose levels per member
- 18% reduction in HbA1c levels per member
- 12% reduction in total cholesterol levels per member
For more information on this program, please see our Patient Management and Outreach Report.