The Expanding Role of Disease Management

ABSTRACT

It was expected in FY 2003 that health insurance premiums would increase over 50 percent in comparison to 2001 rates (Green-wald, 2001). One approach to controlling the rising costs of a health insurance premium is the development of effective disease management programs. Although there is no standard definition of disease management, most industry experts agree that disease management involves an approach to maximizing patient compliance with prescribed treatment plans, promoting healthier changes in life-style, and expanding preventive health services (Ritterband, 2000). Disease Management can be an effective tool for health care managers to implement a holistic strategy to lower the cost of health care in hospitals, managed care plans, and other health care systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Disease management
• preventive health care
• cost containment strategy