Disease management: partnering for better patient care

Disease management is having a profound effect on the evolution of health care delivery toward an integrated system. Management strategies include coordinating professional services, empowering patients, and analyzing outcomes data. The managed care approach to disease management has expanded, to some degree, across all models of HMOs in an effort to document cost-containment efforts and improved outcomes. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit management companies are highly active in developing programs. The author discusses 10 steps toward implementing a successful disease management program through partnering with other organizations.