Tag:

Chronic Conditions

Latest Headlines

Latest Headlines

Population health relies on provider collaboration, nurse coordinators, data sharing

Population health management is a vital part of an insurer's overarching goal to lower costs and improve quality care. At Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, population health means partnering with providers to offer valuable claims information to help them better manage patients with expensive chronic conditions. To learn more about how Horizon has successfully managed its population's health,  FierceHealthPayer  spoke with Steven Peskin, Horizon's senior medical director for clinical innovations.

More patients use ER to treat complex, chronic conditions

The rate of patients in California who visit the emergency department for non-injury conditions has increased, indicating a shift in the ED's role in healthcare, according to a study published in  Health Affairs.

Early follow-up reduces readmissions of high-risk patients

Prompt follow-up care for high-risk patients with multiple chronic conditions significantly reduces their risk of readmission, according to a new study published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

CMS reverses ban on public schools receiving Medicaid funds

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last month quietly reversed a nearly 18-year ban on public schools applying for Medicaid funding,  Stateline  has reported

Humana CEO: Member engagement key to cutting healthcare costs

Humana's recent success in controlling costs has come in large part from an emphasis on member engagement, according to CEO Bruce Broussard.

Older adults sicker in U.S. than other countries

Older American adults are sicker than those in 10 other countries, with nearly seven in 10 dealing with at least two chronic conditions, according to an international survey published in Health Affairs.

Humana bets on 'lifestyle medicine' to help reduce chronic conditions

Humana is investing in "lifestyle medicine"--an approach that aims to reduce chronic conditions by emphasizing healthful eating, exercise and community support in an effort to address the fact that more than 50 percent of healthcare dollars are associated with lifestyle conditions.

Independence's medical home reduced ER use by 8%, study finds

A patient-centered medical home operated by Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia has decreased emergency room utilization by up to 8 percent. What's more, patients with chronic diseases saw an even greater reduction of up to 12 percent, according to a new study published in the journal  Health Services Research.

Anxiety, provider mistrust send patients back to ER

Emergency department patients who return within a few days of discharge are usually anxious about their symptoms and lack trust in their care, according to a new study published in the  Annals of Emergency Medicine.

5 complex care management methods to boost ACO success

​Accountable care organizations often involve high-need, high-cost patients, which can make for a very expensive and challenging program to manage. But a team of researchers has identified effective ACOs that successfully implement complex care management (CCM) interventions that insurers and providers can use to bolster their own programs, lower costs and improve care.