Did you know that according to the NIH, nearly half of Americans suffer from at least one chronic condition?
What about how in the U.S., seven out of ten deaths each year are a result of chronic conditions? Or that chronic conditions are the cause of 75% of healthcare spending?
Chronic conditions are more prevalent than ever before, and play a huge role in the lives of so many people. Whether asthma or autism, depression or diabetes, chronic care is critical to a healthy population. Common in this type of care are chronic care management programs, or CCMs. If you’re considering implementing CCM in your practice, or just want to learn more about them, this blog post is for you.
What is Chronic Care Management (CCM)?
Chronic Care Management (CCM) programs are offered by Medicare for those suffering from two or more chronic conditions with an anticipated duration of at least a year. CCM programs can be internal within a practice or outsourced, and may also include remote patient monitoring (RPM) services.
Who is CCM for?
There are countless different types of chronic diseases, varying from Alzheimer’s to tuberculosis. Below is a non-comprehensive list of some common chronic conditions covered under CCM programs:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autism
- Blindness
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Deafness or hearing impairment
- Diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- HIV / AIDS
- Hypertension
- Migraines
- Obesity
- Psoriasis
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid disease
- Tuberculosis
What are the benefits of CCM?
The positive outcomes resulting from implementing CCM are undeniable, with a slew of benefits for both patient and provider. Some of the top reported benefits, which we will touch on in more detail in a later post, are:
- More frequent contact between patient and provider
- A better relationship between patient and physician/other staff
- Lower hospitalization rate in patients with chronic conditions
- Decreased costs to both parties due to lower hospitalization rates and increased use of telehealth services
- Improved response times and more accurate monitoring of conditions
- An emphasis on value-based care
Chronic conditions unfortunately bring added challenges to daily life for millions worldwide, and the number of people suffering from these conditions only continues to grow. However, WHO reports that 80% of chronic diseases can be eliminated with proper care and preventative measures, signaling hope for those afflicted.
CCM and remote patient monitoring make monitoring chronic conditions and preventing their exacerbation easier than ever before. Consider implementing a CCM porgram in your practice today, and check out our HealthGO and TwoCan Pulse™ RPM devices if you choose to take the telehealth route.
