The Diabetes Living Systems Disease Management Program (DMP) is a comprehensive program designed to provide full-service case management, patient education and self-management training for the diabetic population. Our global approach to working with the health plan, the provider, the individual with diabetes and their caregiver(s) ensures that all of the stakeholders needs are being met in an efficient and cohesive manner. The program is managed by a multi-disciplinary team trained to provide assessment, education, training and evaluation. Diabetes Living Systems (DLS) recognizes that improved health outcomes can only be achieved through the active participation of the diabetic. We work to provide the diabetic with the tools and information necessary to make informed decisions relating to their condition.
DLS works closely with payer partners, employers and other organizations to evaluate clinical data including health assessments, healthcare claims and medial records reviews to properly stratify members into one of three risk levels. Reports, analysis and data are collected and measured in an ongoing process to continually improve member health, health services utilization and clinical management. Most importantly, the DMP not only focuses on the coordination and continuity of healthcare services, but also emphasizes the importance of patient self-management and education.
The DLS Disease Management Program Mission Statement is to provide a coordinated, proactive disease specific approach to patient care that seeks to produce optimal clinical outcomes in a cost efficient manner.
As the prevalence of diabetes and other chronic conditions continues to increase, disease management programs will play an ever increasing role in the patient care management. Individuals with chronic conditions generally require the use of more health care services, including physician visits, hospital care and prescription medications. Diabetes is a national chronic health care issue with the rate of incidence increasing; from 1980 through 2005, the number of adults aged 18-79 with newly diagnosed diabetes almost tripled from 493,000 in 1980 to 1.4 million in 2005 in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2007 was estimated to be $174 billion. However, in 2006, an updated report using adjusted costs for inflation estimated that more than $22.9 billion would be spent on direct medical cost related only to complications from diabetes. Without any doubt, comprehensive preventive medical and clinical intervention is important to the management of the diabetic population, and disease management is a key approach to improve the health of this population and reduce health care service use and costs.
