The prevalence of chronic conditions necessitates the transformation of a reactive health care system into one that keeps its patients as healthy as possible through planning, evidence-based strategies and management. Arthritis is the second most frequently reported chronic condition. Among chronic conditions, arthritis has an enormous economic impact, amounting to $82.4 billion in medical and indirect costs due to the debilitating and disabling effects of the disease. Persons with arthritis are heavy users of the health care system, accounting for up to 39 million physician visits and more than 500,000 hospitalizations annually.
The Arthritis Foundation national office and chapters are working with private and public health partners, including managed care organizations, to motivate and empower individuals and populations to prevent the onset of and control the disability associated with arthritis and related conditions. A priority for the Arthritis Foundation is to modify healthcare systems to better support the needs of people with arthritis or related conditions. In collaboration with Improving Chronic Illness Care, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and CDC, the first step in achieving these goals was the identification of key characteristics of optimal care, including: early diagnosis and treatment, prompt referral to rheumatologists, coordination of care, patient self-management, and managing pain. In the future, the Foundation and its partners plan to develop and implement performance indicators for arthritis care. This presentation will discuss current initiatives with managed care partners and plans for developing performance indicators for arthritis care.
Learning Objectives: ·Recognize opportunities to develop and implement non-profit/managed care partnerships. ·Explore strategies in working with new and innovative partners to deliver health programs to a variety of populations.
Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Managed Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Arthritis Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment