IT is critical to controlling costs and improving treatment for patients with chronic illnesses, according to a new research report from Health Industry Insights, Health Data Management reports.
The report, titled "Technology Selection: The Evolving Care Management Model To Address the Healthcare Crisis," states, "Effective care management strategies require a strong foundation in data warehousing, business intelligence and clinical analytics."
According to the report, Health Industry Insights expects that in the next 12 to 18 months, the medical home model will serve a key role in payer care management strategies. The medical home model pushes for widespread use of IT to document and coordinate care among health care providers and care settings. Under the medical home model, primary care practices serve as the center for patient care coordination.
The report adds that "remote patient monitoring will increasingly play a role in managing patients with chronic conditions."
The report recommends that payers "rationalize information technology and business processes to integrate related programs that support care management initiatives, such as pay-for-performance, health and wellness, payer-based health records and personal health records" (Anderson, Health Data Management, 5/28).