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Study shows HCF chronic disease management program reduces hospital admissions and length of stay

 

 

A chronic disease management program launched three years ago by Australia’s largest not-for-profit health insurer, HCF, has been found to significantly reduce the rate of hospital admissions for participants with heart disease and diabetes.

An evaluation study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Population Health Management, compared more than 5,000 My Health Guardian participants suffering from chronic heart disease and diabetes with a statistically comparable group of more than 23,000 non-participating HCF members with the same two conditions. Rates of hospital admission and readmission and the average length of stay (ALOS) were measured for both participating and non-participating groups over one year prior to the program's commencement (as baseline), and again after the first 12 and 18 months of the program's operation. Among key findings of the evaluation:

. The program participant group (heart disease and diabetes) uniformly recorded lower hospital admission and readmission rates and ALOS than the non-participating group, after both the 12-month and 18-month period.

. For participants with heart disease, the difference in percentage change in hospital admission rates compared to non-participants was -7.2% and -12.0% after 12 months and 18 months respectively. This participating group also recorded statistically significant improvement in readmission rate after 12 and 18 months and ALOS after 18 months compared to non-participants.

. For diabetes sufferers, the difference in percentage change in hospital admission rates was -7.8% after 12 months and -13.4% after 18 months for program participants compared to non-participants.

. The outperformance of program participants versus non-participants on all measures widened the longer they were in the program.

"The study bolsters the case for investment in effective chronic disease programs," said HCF Managing Director Shaun Larkin. "Chronic illness accounts for 70% of Australia's national disease burden today, and this is expected to increase to 80% by 2020. If we are serious about easing the strain on our health system, we need to gather evidence on programs that work. My Health Guardian offers a template for the way forward."

The Population Health Management journal article can be found if you Click Here