[Integrated care for patients with heart failure in Switzerland: a cost analysis]

To assess the treatment costs of patients with heart failure in an integrated care model, we evaluated a Swiss primary care disease-management programme (DMP).

We compared the direct medical costs per patient before joining the DMP (time interval 1: 365 days) with the direct medical costs per patient during attendance at the programme (time interval 2: 365 days). Possible cost savings were related to the costs of the DMP.

In 71 patients with heart failure, the average direct medical costs decreased after attendance at the program by -2'268 CHF (95% CI: -5'922 to +1'386). The average costs of the DMP were 2'100 CHF per patient.

The assessed DMP will hardly generate net savings in the first year, but may be cost neutral.