Among the realities of getting older is susceptibility to chronic illness. Whether these illnesses result from genes, the environment, lifestyle, or just the normal aging process, the truth is that many people will fall victim to chronic health problems.
Physical and mental illnesses that last longer than a year, require ongoing treatment, and affect one's quality of life are considered chronic conditions.
More than half of chronically ill people suffer from more than one illness, and the estimation is that more than 171 million people will require chronic care management by 2030.
For these people, an established care management plan may be the best way to ensure a quality life despite their illness.
As a health provider, you should be aware of the benefits of chronic care management for your patients and practice.
Defining Chronic Care Management
Chronic care management (CCM) provides ongoing care management and coordination services to patients for one or more chronic conditions. These chronic conditions include dementia, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Chronic care management is an elaborate care program that includes information about the coordination of your patient's care, the network of your patient's other providers, their medications, and any other services they may need.
Chronic care management plans require electronic health records.
CCM services are only available with informed consent. A patient must be aware of the cost-sharing schedule and stop receiving chronic care at any time.
In addition, patients need to be aware that they can only receive CCM from one provider and one hospital at a time.
You will prepare a tailored care plan once you receive this acknowledgment from your patient, whether verbally or digitally.
The Benefits of Chronic Care Management
Since 2015, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has offered a reimbursement program that allows providers to receive payments for providing CCM services.
With this program, providers now have the infrastructure they require to effectively offer chronic care management services to patients and lower health care costs for chronically ill patients.
Here are some of the benefits that infrastructure offers:
Care Coordination
Patients with chronic illness often have trouble getting organized in their care. To address various issues concerning their health, these patients often see different providers.
A care management program offers patients a solution that ensures that their care team is prepared and ready to meet their needs.
The care team members coordinate with each other to ensure the patient's medications are in order. They are finding the most appropriate resources for the patient, and no discrepancies in their care could harm the patient.
The benefit of care coordination extends to the patient and the provider by coordinating care. In this way, the provider has a complete understanding of the patient's health, enabling them to provide better care for them and improve their practice's outcomes.
Loyal Patients
Loyal patients can have a value exceeding a million dollars in the long term. A well-designed chronic care management program can help you create a base of loyal patients.
You need more than a high patient satisfaction rating to ensure that.
To build loyalty, you must consistently meet a patient's care needs, meet or exceed their expectations, and deliver a positive overall experience. In practice, this means identifying and providing access to care points after an inpatient stay and providing follow-up care between office visits to keep patients healthy for a more extended period.
Quality of Life
Care management is among the most effective ways to improve the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions. CCM services benefit patients by reducing depression, increasing social engagement, and promoting patient engagement. Patients gain hope and advocacy for their situation.
As a result, they become aware of the resources and assistance available in their community and environment.
Also, they feel encouraged to speak with their providers about any concerns or questions they have.
With CCM, patients have access to answers to questions, they can resolve medication contraindications, and a community of people is committed to helping them succeed.
Net New Revenues
The most appealing aspect of chronic care management is the new income stream to your practice.
Moreover, CCM contributes to expanding the pockets of medical services suppliers in more ways than one. The most precise method for providers to receive payments for their CCM services is through reimbursements.
Also, your practice may have patients who qualify for these services and are not aware or unwilling to seek them from alternate providers.
Finally, CCM increases your income by acquiring more patients. It is possible to achieve this growth in revenue by redirecting your supervision to the group responsible for providing these services.
Happier Providers and Staff
It is advantageous for providers and the medical staff to focus on their high-risk patients through c chronic care management.
Additionally, remote nurses are appreciated by physicians because they can improve medication adherence, ensure patients stay on their treatment plans, and answer questions before they become inbound calls.
Many healthcare providers have discovered they cannot operationalize a remote care management initiative due to the inconvenience of recording minutes, the burden of onerous documentation, or the difficulties of connecting with patients outside the office.
These initiatives require new staffing models, create flexibility for patients, and are both efficient and sustainable.
A partner with a skilled team of nurses who can deliver remote care and expertise in working with various workflows enables you to foster highly engaged patients.
Eliminate the Distractions Impacting Your CCM Workflow with FloatCare
FloatCare automates and streamlines your care management workflow. Whether you have an existing EHR, a paper-based initiative, or a fully integrated system, FloatCare allows you to devote more time to patients and less time to technicalities.
Are you interested in adding or improving your chronic care management services? Contact us today to learn more.
