Study: Medicare disease management pilot failed

A new study done by a government-contracted research firm has concluded that Medicare's recent disease management pilot largely failed to meet their goals. 

Back in 2002, CMS awarded 15 demonstration grants to test whether disease management programs could cut Medicare costs and improve quality of care. The programs worked with Medicare patients that suffered from congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and diabetes, who were randomly assigned to disease management or standard care. The program ended last year.

In the programs, nurses provided patient education and monitoring to improve the ability to communicate with doctors and adhere to their medication, diet, exercise and self-care requirements.

According to the study, which was conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, 13 of the 15 demonstration projects had no real impact on hospitalization rates.

To learn more about the study:
- read this Healthcare Finance News article

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