Chronic Disease Management and Wellness Programs

Numerous studies have reached the same conclusion — 10 percent of a health plan’s participants spend nearly 70 percent of health care resources.

Many people with chronic disease suffer from more than one medical condition, making their health care more complex and their lives more challenging. Disease management programs may be one of the best ways to manage escalating health care costs while actually improving the health of our members.

How about attempting to prevent illness? Does your health plan or your employer pay for or in any way encourage:

• Flu shots, mammograms, blood pressure or cholesterol screening?

• Provide information on the benefits of regular exercise, a good diet and stress reduction?

• Does it provide any education on topics such as depression or other chronic diseases?

If not, it may be time to take some first steps.