McKesson Disease Management Program Reduces Hospitalizations, Improves Drug Compliance in Diabetic Hispanic Medicaid Beneficiaries
May 18, 2009

New Study Results Find Program Generates 3.8:1 Return on Investment

BROOMFIELD, Colo., May 18, 2009 - A new study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved found Hispanic Medicaid beneficiaries with diabetes who participated in McKesson's telephone-based disease management program had reduced hospital inpatient admissions and improved use of diabetes medications.
 McKesson's disease management interventions also resulted in a return on investment of 3.8:1.

The study's authors - Gregory D. Berg, Ph.D., associate vice president, Research & Outcomes at McKesson Health Solutions; and Sandeep Wadhwa, M.D., MBA, state Medicaid director at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing - followed the 490 intervention group members for one year and compared them to a matched-cohort group.

"It's extremely important in matched studies to match the intervention and cohort groups on as many variables as possible including demographic, utilization and clinical variables to ensure baseline similarity so that outcomes of the research are as accurate as possible," Dr. Berg said.

The intervention group had significant health improvements compared to the matched group:

  • 48% reduction in inpatient bed days
  • 75% reduction in cardiac inpatient bed days
  • 23% increase in ACE inhibitor use
  • 7% increase in beta blocker use
  • 25% increase in diuretics use
  • 192% increase in flu vaccines
  • 180% increase in pneumonia immunizations

“McKesson's Medicaid disease management programs consistently deliver strong clinical outcomes and ROI to our customers, and this research is another example how our programs help healthcare organizations reach their goals,” said Jim Hardy, senior vice president and general manager, McKesson Health Solutions.

McKesson disease management program participants receive a customized a self-management intervention plan that included scheduled nurse education sessions, 24/7 access to McKesson's nurse advice line, action plans, workbooks, medication compliance reminders and vaccine reminders.

More information about McKesson's disease management programs is included in an online press kit at www.mckesson.com/newsroom/diseasemanagement  

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.

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
The Department administers the Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs as well as a variety of other programs for Colorado's low-income, elderly and people with disabilities. The mission of the department is to improve access to cost-effective, quality health care services for Coloradans. For more information about the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, visit www.colorado.gov/hcpf.

Contact:
Jordan Gruener, Public Relations Manager
McKesson Health Solutions
303-664-6410