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Why you need a chronic care management healthcare professional
June 30, 2022 at 7:00 AM
A healthcare professional helping someone manage their chronic conditions.

Dealing with a chronic condition can significantly diminish one's independence and quality of life while increasing their risk for more severe conditions to develop. Without chronic care management (CCM) from a professional, these conditions can be impossible to manage effectively. Here is why you need to work with a healthcare professional in Houston for chronic care management:

What is chronic care management?

Chronic care management involves coordinating and providing care for patients with chronic conditions, which we also refer to as disease management.

These professionals support and manage conditions to help patients return to daily activities their condition prevents them from enjoying. CCM professionals also facilitate and coordinate visits to their physicians and communicate with patients to ensure they are happy.

Insurance providers often cover these programs, and they provide critical care between conventional doctor visits. Eligible patients must have two or more qualifying chronic conditions that will last at least 12 months.

However, if their conditions put them at considerable risk of death, exacerbation, or impose limits on daily life, they may also qualify. Examples of chronic conditions that make a patient eligible include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Hypertension
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • And more

What do chronic care management professionals do?

Chronic care management professionals improve the quality and coordination of care for chronically ill patients through continuous coverage.

CCM varies depending on the conditions and limitations of each patient. Professionals devise a comprehensive care plan and a communication and management system. Chornic care management professionals assist in all aspects of their care, from medication management to health and fitness. A plan typically includes:

  • A list of current health conditions.
  • A prognosis and the expected outcome of treatment.
  • Measurable goals.
  • Strategies for pain and symptom management.
  • Planned interventions.
  • Identifying people responsible for intervention.
  • Medication management.
  • Diet management.
  • Community and social services.
  • Coordination with healthcare providers.
  • Scheduling periodic reviews.
  • And any other services the patient needs to manage their condition.

These specialists reduce stress and pain, optimize health, fitness, and sleep, and help them return to things like work and hobbies their condition has forced them to discontinue.

Why do you need a chronic care management specialist?

Chronic care management experts offer crucial support and increased access to essential medical resources to improve a patient’s quality of life.

Their extensive training coupled with constant coordination and communication with healthcare providers reduces emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and readmissions. The personalized, attentive care and 24/7 access professionals provide increase patient engagement in their health care.

Improved engagement is significant because research proves patients with severe chronic conditions tend to disengage from their care. These specialists also consolidate health records, like medications, allergies, medical history, demographics, and past providers, to facilitate optimum care.

Working with trusted CCM experts also improves a patient’s social life, boosts their sense of purpose, and gives patients more confidence in treatment. Plus, continuous assistance between visits enables patients to maintain good health and prevent more severe issues from developing.

Book an appointment to learn more about CCM

Dealing with a chronic condition can have debilitating mental and physical consequences, and working with chronic care management specialists is critical to mitigating them. At Phoenix Medical and Wellness Clinic, we are a premier health service provider in Houston. With Spanish-speaking interpreters, our passion is making premier health services accessible by making them affordable. We offer an array of payment plans and accept most insurances. Chronic conditions can feel like a prison, and we are here to free you from it. Book an appointment to learn how.

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