Managed care quarterly
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Usual medical care often fails to meet the needs of chronically ill patients, even in managed, integrated delivery systems. The medical literature suggests strategies to improve outcomes in these patients. Effective interventions tend to fall into one of five areas: the use of a protocol, reorganization of practice systems and provider roles, improved patient education, increased access to expertise, and greater availability of clinical information. The challenge is to organize these components into an integrated system of chronic illness care.
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Increased Medicare risk contracts led to rising concern with readmission rates among the senior population with chronic illness at Carondelet Health Network. Using readily available data, Carondelet providers and administrators created intervention and evaluation strategies to redesign chronic care services to reduce increased readmissions. The strategies showed health plans can develop such strategies without waiting for sophisticated information systems to be put in place.
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As managed care enrolls an increasing proportion of the population, increased attention needs to be paid to the care of persons with chronic conditions. This trend is occurring in the context of medical care in the United States that is deeply rooted in the acute care model of illness. ⋯ Optimal chronic care systems are characterized by the integration of primary and specialty care, integration of medical and nonmedical services, and emphasis on functional status and quality of life. Analyzing enrollment data, beginning chronic disease care improvement efforts, and redesigning key support systems are all targets for HMO action.
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Fraud is defined as an international deception or misrepresentation that the individual or entity makes knowing that the misrepresentation could result in some unauthorized benefit to the individual, the entity, or some other party. This article focuses on acts committed by health care providers but it is important to note that health care fraud also encompasses those fraudulent acts perpetrated by employer groups, members or insureds, and employees.