title: Care coordinators take the lead in keeping chronically ill patients healthy and in the community.
abstract: Logic suggests that it makes sense to optimize the health of chronically ill patients at an early stage so they can remain in the community. However, existing reimbursement structures--which often separate community-based care from nursing home services--fail to provide the proper incentives to accomplish this task, particularly with regards to older Americans. Further, the complexities inherent in our health care infrastructure often present barriers to optimal care. See how some innovative programs are attempting to get around this disconnect, with promising results.
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D003363:Cost Control; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006278:Medicare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States