Disease management programs are increasingly being utilized by state Medicaid programs to provide better care while reducing costs, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions. Early research has shown that while disease management programs are relatively new, there can be substantial reductions in health care service use and expenditures. Disease management programs have been developed and implemented largely by managed care plans. Programs for diabetes, asthma, hypertension, depression and congestive heart failure are the most common. Health plans and Medicaid agencies generally contract with disease management organizations to provide services, although some choose to operate the program themselves.
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