The Need for Disease Management

The need for disease management is well established. Currently, chronic illness consumes 82% of the nation's healthcare resources and cost. Currently Americans live longer than in previous generations. Along with this increased longevity, there has been a steady increase in the number of individuals living with one or more chronic conditions. Nearly 80% of Medicare beneficiaries have at least one chronic disease. Moreover, of the costliest 5% of Medicare beneficiaries, 47% have congestive heart failure and 35% have diabetes. Demographic and cultural trends also result in increased chronic illness.¹

People with Chronic Conditions only Receive 56.1% of Recommended Care²

• Only 24% of people with diabetes received three or more HbA1c tests in a two year period
• Only 45% of people presenting with an MI received beta-blockers

Condition % Not Receiving Recommended Care Diabetes 54.6%   Hyperlipidemia 51.4%   Asthma 46.5%   COPD 42%   CHF 36.1%   Hypertension 35.3%   CAD 32%

¹Center for Disease Control; The George Washington University, National Health Policy Forum “Medicare’s Chronic Care Improvement Pilot Program: What is its Potential?” NHPF Brief No. 797 May 10, 2004.

²The Quality of Health Care Delivered to Adults in the US *McGlynn, Asch et al, NEJM 2003; 348:2635-48