Better Care, Bigger Savings Rely on Case Management Approach
Published: 2010-07-05 06:22:45By: Lawrence B. Rothstein | Health News Digest | March 16, 2010
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - A personalized, case management type of approach, whereby patients are guided through the medical system from start to finish, will not only provide for a much better clinical experience for the patient but also significant cost savings to the health care system in general.
These cost savings may be realized through drastically decreased reliance on Urgent Care and Emergency Room visits, unnecessary diagnostic testing, and rapid progression through the various treatment protocols. The case management model will also incorporate the patient’s individual preferences regarding less expensive and Alternative Medicine-type modalities that show promise, such as acupuncture and massage therapy. Managed properly, this model should result in both improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Did you know that approximately 80% of the population will suffer from debilitating back pain at some time in their life? The resultant direct health care costs including doctor and emergency room visits, medications, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, and interventional procedures are estimated at a staggering $90 billion. And they are increasing. The associated costs of related medical problems, disability, lost productivity, family issues, substance abuse, and decreased quality of life spike the cost burden well above $100 billion.
While there is documented concern about these costs on a daily basis throughout the country, there is, unfortunately, a tremendous amount of confusion in both the medical and lay communities as to the best approach to treat back pain.
Research shows that nearly everyone will develop radiographic evidence of Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine (meaning the spine is breaking down) over the course of a normal lifespan. This suggests that lumbar spine “issues” should be considered a normal part of aging and managed as such, as opposed to the traditional approach of ad hoc interventional measures. This means that people need to manage their spine health in the same way they need to manage their weight and cardiovascular health. It is important to regularly address spine health as a component of overall health including cardiovascular fitness, exercise, diet and lifestyle, instead of patients seeking care when they cannot stand the pain anymore.
The annual incidence of debilitating low back pain ranges from 10-20% of the population, and this only reflects the patients that present in some manner to the health care system. The actual numbers may be even higher, and when family, coworkers, and others are taken into account the number of people affected in some way by back pain is astounding.
In addition to the exorbitant costs associated with back pain, there is some evidence that this money is actually producing diminishing returns, as recent studies have shown that while the cost of care is rising, the percentage of people improving, or satisfied with their care, is decreasing. Clearly, despite increasing financial constraints, the system needs to be improved, and patients better served.
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