Report: I.T. Vital to Care Management

HDM Breaking News, May 28, 2009

A new research report on care management for the chronically ill asserts that information technology is essential to controlling costs for these patients and improving their treatment.

“Effective care management strategies require a strong foundation in data warehousing, business intelligence and clinical analytics,” according to the report from Health Industry Insights. The Framingham, Mass.-based research and consulting firm is a unit of IDC. “Population management and consumerism strategies require the ability to define specific microsegments of members.”

“Health Industry Insights anticipates that in the next 12-18 months, the medical home will begin to play an important role in payer care management strategies,” the report states. Under the model, primary care practices serve as the focal point for patient care coordination. The model advocates extensive use of I.T. to document and coordinate care across all providers and settings.

“In addition to the medical home, remote patient monitoring will increasingly play a role in managing patients with chronic conditions,” the report adds.

The report also calls on payers to “rationalize information technology and business processes to integrate related programs that support care management initiatives, such as pay-for-performance, health and wellness, payer-based health records and personal health records.”

To order the report, “Technology Selection: The Evolving Care Management Model to Address the Healthcare Crisis,” visit healthindustry-insights.com. The report costs $4,500.

--Howard Anderson

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