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McKesson, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Extend Successful Disease Management Program Through 2011August 26, 2009 |
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McKesson Program Improves Patient Outcomes and Saves State of Illinois $104 Million in Healthcare Costs McKesson and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services have extended and expanded the Your Healthcare Plus disease management program through June 30, 2011. Your Healthcare Plus now benefits more than 8,000 new eligible Medicaid beneficiaries in addition to the 220,000 beneficiaries that the program currently serves. The program employs a McKesson care team of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes for participants. The McKesson care team’s efforts to help patients manage chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease and HIV/AIDS recently generated more than $104 million in net savings during the program’s second year. “While the country is in the midst of a financial crisis, it’s significant that Illinois has the foresight to keep this disease management program in place. As unemployment rises, more people turn to Medicaid to receive healthcare services. Many Medicaid beneficiaries have chronic illnesses. Your Healthcare Plus can help improve health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries while saving the state healthcare dollars,” said Emad Rizk, M.D., president, McKesson Health Solutions. Registered nurses and other healthcare professionals use evidence-based guidelines to help Your Healthcare Plus beneficiaries suffering from health issues learn new ways to manage their health. This helps participants control chronic illness, including asthma, coronary artery disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, behavioral health conditions, end stage renal disease, HIV/AIDS, and other comorbid conditions. “When people are able to better care for their diabetes, asthma or heart disease, they stay healthy and stay out of hospitals and emergency rooms,” said HFS Director Barry S. Maram. “I thank McKesson for their work in helping our clients learn how to keep their chronic illnesses under control. In Illinois, we are showing that helping people avoid costly hospital stays does not just make economic sense; it is the right thing to do.” During the program’s first year – July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007 – Your Healthcare Plus lowered inappropriate inpatient and emergency department admissions, and improved key clinical indicators to help Illinois achieve a net savings of nearly $34 million . About McKesson McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500 , is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit us at www.mckesson.com .
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McKesson Health Solutions
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