NH RENEWS COST-SAVING HEALTH PROGRAM

The New Hampshire Department of Health and HumanServices (DHHS) is renewing its highly successful disease managementprogram for Medicaid recipients for another year.

The statewide service—currently helping >4400 Medicaidpatients manage chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, andheart disease—generated $4.8 million in net savings to the stateover 2 years. In addition, the program was responsible for a 12%reduction in emergency department costs in its second year.

"Improving the health status of New Hampshire Medicaidclients with chronic conditions and generating a return oninvestment are very important to McKesson," said Emad Rizk,MD, president of McKesson Health Solutions, which administersthe New Hampshire program.

"New Hampshire's successful strategy has been to focus on the individual ratherthan the disease," noted Doris Lotz, MD, MPH, medical director for DHHS. "Thisapproach leads to beneficiaries who are highly satisfied with the program."

The program began during the state's 2005 fiscal year. The 1-year renewal laststhrough September 30, 2008.