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CMS will match states' costs of disease management programs

Compliance Monitor, March 3, 2004

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) urged states to adopt programs to help those with chronic illnesses - such as diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, and hypertension - better manage their diseases.

According to a February 26 press release, CMS told state Medicaid officials it would match states' costs of running so-called "disease management" programs aimed at improving health outcomes while lowering the medical costs associated with these diseases.

Studies have shown that people with chronic illnesses use a disproportionate share of medical services. These beneficiaries are frequently treated by multiple providers who do not coordinate the care - which can lead to duplicative and unnecessary services and increased medical expenses.

CMS defines disease management as a set of interventions designed to improve the health of individuals by working more directly with them and their physicians on their treatment plans regarding diet, adherence to medicine schedules, and other self-management techniques.

CMS has focused on disease management in recent months. It is working on a series of pilot projects in the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program, as well as Medicare managed care programs.

To read the press release, click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=967.

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