Abstract
The PacifiCare chronic heart failure (CHF) program, "Taking Charge of Your Heart Health," was implemented in California in 1999. As an interactive telephonic support program, the patient is provided with coaching, education, and reinforcement of self-care management skills. Patients enrolled in the program are given a personal information appliance to receive and respond to daily sessions of questions, and educational information sent from their care manager. Results from an initial 6-month data analysis of the "Taking Charge of Your Heart Health" program showed reductions in costs for hospitalizations and ER visits of 50.6%, and total savings in claims paid of $5271 per number per year (PMPY). The program effectively reduced inpatient hospitalizations by 49.6% (p-value < 0.001) and reduced ER visits by 73.0% (p-value < 0.001). With a program enrollment of 700 patients, projected net annualized savings are approximately $2.7 million, and return on investment close to 200%.
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