Clinical and economic impact of implementing a comprehensive diabetes management program in managed care.
Diabetes mellitus places a significant burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Because of the potential to reduce diabetic complications and costs through intensive management, diabetes has become a primary target for disease management programs. We performed a retrospective analysis of short-term baseline and follow-up clinical, economic, and member and provider satisfaction data from approximately 7,000 people with diabetes being treated through seven managed care plans using Diabetes Treatment Centers of America's Diabetes NetCare, (Nashville, TN), a comprehensive diabetes management program. Our analysis indicates that Diabetes NetCare achieved gross economic adjusted savings of $50 per diabetic member per month (12.3%), with gross unadjusted savings of $44 (10.9%) per diabetic member per month. Hospital admissions per 1,000 diabetic member years decreased by 18%, and bed days fell by 21%. Patients with diabetes were more likely to get HbAlc tests, foot exams, eye exams, and cholesterol screenings while enrolled in the program. These data suggest that implementation of a comprehensive healthcare management program for people with diabetes can lead to substantial improvements in costs and clinical outcomes in the short-term. It is expected that improvements will increase over time, with continuing improvements in health status and a reduction in the number of future diabetic complications.
The Lewin Group, Fairfax, Virginia 22031, USA.
R J
RJ
Rubin
K A
KA
Dietrich
A D
AD
Hawk
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin