title: Issues and challenges for managed care in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Managed care organizations (MCOs) and payers have become increasingly aware of the impact of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on healthcare expenditures. The prevalence and incidence of both conditions continue to increase, even as new therapeutic modalities enter the market to offer treatment alternatives for these conditions. Although viewed by most payers as long-term conditions with expenditures that will not diminish, MCOs and payers have become more concerned with controlling costs and ensuring appropriate utilization.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Creighton University, and Pharmaceutical Technologies Inc, National Pharmaceutical Services, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
authors.forename: Shellie K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Schoening
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D003363:Cost Control; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States