USFHP Programs That Are Heading Off Expensive Chronic Care

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US Family Health Plan features more than 40 disease management programs and a variety of complex care management programs.

Chronic disease comes at a high cost. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 86 percent of all healthcare spending in 2010 was due to one or more chronic medical conditions. For example, $314 billion is spent every year in the U.S. to combat heart disease and stroke. However, early detection and ongoing management of such cardiovascular conditions can make a real difference for a patient’s quality of life while helping save money. Similarly, according to the National Institutes of Health, being overweight significantly increases the risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, gallstones and certain cancers.

To improve overall health, US Family Health Plan features more than 40 disease management programs and a variety of complex care management programs. USFHP was also one of the first plans to implement a patient-centered medical home concept, with benefits like 24-hour nurse helplines and in-home patient monitoring. The results? USFHP beneficiaries are experiencing improved health and wellness and require fewer emergency room visits or hospitalizations.

USFHP health plans have developed and adopted a number of health education and care management programs in an effort to help prevent the development of costly chronic diseases. For instance, Heart to Heart—a 4-day class that raises awareness and educates patients about heart disease, stroke and its related health conditions—teaches patients how to manage their risk factors through assessment tools. The weight management program MOVE!—originally designed by the Department of Veterans Affairs—is uniquely tailored to each participant and emphasizes behavioral and lifestyle changes like regular exercise and healthy eating to help patients manage their weight.

We’re proud to offer America’s military families industry leading programs to prevent expensive chronic care. Click here to learn more about the many wellness programs available to our beneficiaries.