On Dec. 14, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final Strategic Framework on Multiple Chronic Conditions.
More than a quarter of all Americans ― and two out of three older Americans ― have multiple chronic conditions, and treatment for these individuals accounts for 66 percent of the country’s health care budget. These numbers are expected to rise as the number of older Americans increases. Through the framework, HHS hopes to improve the management of patient care, reduce risks and complication, and eventually make the health care system in the U.S. more efficient and comprehensive.
The new strategic framework ― coordinated by HHS and involving input from agencies within the department and multiple private sector stakeholders (including the ACC) ― expects to reduce the risks of complications and improve the overall health status of individuals with multiple chronic conditions by fostering change within the system; providing more information and better tools to help health professionals ― as well as patients ― learn how to better coordinate and manage care; and by facilitating research to improve oversight and care.
In comments sent in June 2010, the ACC urged the agency to:
- Provide better tools and information to health care and social service workers who deliver care to individuals with MCC,
- Maximize the use of proven self-care management and services by individuals with MCC,
- Foster health care and public health system changes to improve the health of individuals with MCC, and
- Facilitate research to fill knowledge gaps about individuals with MCC.
“Given the number of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions, focusing on the integration and coordination of care for this population is critical to achieve better care and health for beneficiaries, and lower costs through greater efficiency and quality,” said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D.
To learn more about how the strategic framework, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/initiatives/mcc/.